Nestlé promotes well being advantages for teenagers ingesting water
Nestlé's collaboration with AAP provides pediatricians with tools to educate parents and carers
Nestlé Waters North America (NWNA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) are joining forces in a new national program to help parents and caregivers better understand the importance and benefits of water as a critical part of children's health and wellbeing.
Today, 20% of children in the US don't drink water on any given day. The same 20% of children consume twice as many calories from sugary drinks – around 200 total calories – as children who drink water. This comes from a study by the Water, Health and Nutrition Laboratory at Pennsylvania State University.
"The fact that one in five children in this country doesn't drink water on any given day is an issue that has not received enough attention," said Cheryl Dreyer, RDN, CDN, senior regulatory and nutrition manager at NWNA. "Children who do not drink enough water are at greater risk of childhood obesity and other health problems. This is why Nestlé Waters North America is focused on helping parents teach children important healthy drinking habits early on."
NWNA and AAP use AAP's national network of pediatricians to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of healthy hydration and to provide ways to drink more water. Facts, tips, printable handouts, and other resources are available to clinicians and parents through AAP's HealthyChildren.org website.
AAP and NWNA will work together later in 2020 and through 2021.
"Nestlé Waters North America is proud to partner with the AAP," said Tara Carraro, executive vice president and chief corporate affairs officer, NWNA. “Our beverage company is committed to making the world a healthier place through our products, partnerships and policies. This also includes promoting drinking water, whether bottled, filtered or tap, as a key element of a healthy lifestyle, especially for children. ”
Teaching children not only to consume less sugar, but also to drink more water is important to improving children's long-term health and preventing obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 13.7 million US children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 19 are affected by contraception.
"Making water a primary beverage choice is a great habit parents can teach their children to improve their overall health," said pediatrician Jennifer Shu, FAAP, medical editor of HealthyChildren.org. "Good hydration can improve a child's mood, memory, and alertness. Water is also important for body growth – it keeps joints, bones and teeth healthy, blood circulates, and helps children maintain a healthy weight into adulthood hold. "
