A few week ago BCS Culligan Men Derick Rogers and Matt Norwood participated in a 240 mile relay over the course of 48 hours. They each ran 6 – 5 mile legs. This relay was a fund raising effort in support of Mercy Project which is a non profit organization that is working to free children from slavery in Ghana, Africa. We are all so proud of Derick and Matt
Can I get some more Gas?Lots of open road!The Hand off!Matt heading home!Matt at the Finish Line!Matt and Derrick DONE!All the team
by The Kid’s Doctor Staff
Children in the United States are not drinking as much water as they should, and the deficiency can have far-reaching implications, a new study suggests.
“Even mild dehydration can affect physiological function, and cause fatigue, muscle weakness, headaches and dry mouth,” said Samantha Heller, clinical nutrition coordinator at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby, Conn., who was not involved in the study.
Impaired cognitive and mental performance are also linked to inadequate hydration, said Heller.
According to the study, published in the October issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, depending on age-only 15 to 60 percent of boys, and 10 to 54 percent of girls drink the minimum amount of water recommended by the U.S. Institute of Medicine.
Too many children are getting much of their water from sweetened beverages rather than plain old H2O, the researchers found. The study also revealed that those who drink water consume fewer sweetened beverages and eat fewer high-calorie foods.
The research looked at the water intake of 3,978 boys and girls, aged 2 to 19 years, who had been included in a national nutrition study from 2005 to 2006.
The investigators found that water intake from all sources varied by age: 2 to 5 year-olds drank 5.9 cups a day. 6 to 11 year-olds got 6.8 cups, and 12 to 1-year-olds consumed 10.1 cups daily. Girls generally drank less than boys.
The findings also suggest that kids of all ages are more likely to drink beverages, such as sodas, tea or milk, and not water at mealtime.
Water makes up 55 to 75 percent of total body weight, said Heller. “We cannot live without water for more than a few days because our bodies cannot store water. Thus, it is essential we replace the water our bodies lose every day.”
Heller, a nutritionist and dietitian, advises starting children on water early.
“Give them water instead of sweetened beverages during the day and between meals,” she said. To make it more appealing, put sliced cucumbers, oranges, lemons or strawberries in ice water, she suggested.
With back-to-school season in full swing, Culligan is providing tips to help parents ensure their kids get the nutrition and hydration they need to ensure A+ performance throughout the school day.
Brown Bag It for Balance
While a packed lunch isn’t automatically healthier than one bought at school, it does offer certain advantages. When you pack your child’s lunch you can be sure it includes healthy foods that are also their favorites. Parents should follow balanced diet guidelines, including a mix of the four basic food groups: grains, fruits, vegetables, meat or protein foods, and dairy foods like milk and cheese1.
Just Say No to Soda & Juice
Dehydration can lead to a reduction both mental and physical functions, oftentimes affecting a student’s performance in the classroom. Parents should be picky when selecting a drink for their child’s lunch. Unlike sugary sodas and fruit juices – which can contribute to tooth decay and weight gain,elevate blood sugar levels and attribute to unnecessary caloric intake2 – water helps improve digestion and keeps the body feeling fuller longer, helping kids resist the urge to snack throughout the school day.
Encourage Your Kids to be Eco-Friendly
Americans buy an estimated 29.8 billion plastic water bottles ever year, with nearly eight out of every 10 bottles ending up in a landfill3. Parents can help their kids make a positive impact on the environment by switching out plastic water bottles for reusable, non-toxic aluminum and stainless steel water containers. These eco-friendly water bottle options can be easily filled at home with and refilled while at school; ensuring all-day hydration. Parents can also select reusable plastic containers for food that’s packed in their child’s lunch, instead of plastic baggies that are thrown away after one use.
Healthy Hydration Starts at Home
Packing clean, fresh tasting water for lunch is a snap when parents have access to bottled-water quality water at the touch of a button. A drinking water system from Culligan provides an endless supply of clean, refreshing drinking water right at the kitchen sink. And with better tasting water always available, encouraging kids to drink water with every meal just got easier.1”School Lunches”. Kids Health. Online: http://kidshealth.org/kid/grow/school_stuff/school_lunches.html#
2 “Kid’s health: Benefits of drinking water”. Health and Fitness: Nutrition. Helium.com. Online: http://www.helium.com/items/1825815-children-and-water3 “Facts About Plastic Bottles”. Earth911.com. Online: http://earth911.com/recycling/plastic/plastic-bottles/facts-about-plastic-bottles/
Summer is here, and boy is it is hot out. With this heat, staying hydrated is incredibly important. Be conscious of what beverage you are reaching for to quench your thirst. The popular, calorie-heavy beverages, like soda, are actually increasing your body’s need for water.
Perhaps this is why an estimated 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. And according to studies, in an estimated 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger. People are eating when they are actually thirsty – a tall glass of water can prevent all of this from happening.
While you’re outside enjoying the holiday weekend, go with the glass or bottle of water to quench your thirst, rather than the carbonated, sugary soft drink. The decision between water and soda should be an easy one. In case you need a little more convincing, these figures should help:
Drinking five glasses of water daily is said to decrease the risk of colon cancer by 45%, slash the risk of breast cancer by 79% and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.
I don’t know about you, but I’m thirsty – or am I hungry? I’m confused now. Tall glass of water, please!
written by – Peter Raisch
Several weeks back a large group of the TAMU football team came out to help a local Bryan Youth Football team. The Buccaneer’s are group of 5-7 year old’s that love to play football. Our Bottle Water route manager coaches the Buccaneer’s and has his boys on the team. TAMU head Coach Sherman heard about the need to work on the Buccaneer’s football fields and quickly send over a large group of guys to help work on the fields. Thanks to Coach Sherman and the entire football team for coming out and supporting our local Bryan Youth. It was good for the young guys/gals to see older players lending a helping hand.
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This past weekend the world record for the longest kickball game was broken. No, I did not play in it. I really wish I could have! Chris called me and asked if we could help out with providing water. It started this past Friday afternoon in Rowlett, TX. They played kick ball for 50 hours straight in order to raise money and awareness for children in slavery. The Mercy Project was started by a friend of mine, Chris Field. Its sole mission is to bring as many young children out of slavery. Chris has a heart for service and is a man full of passion. He is part of something bigger than himself…bigger than you and I. The question for me and you is the same. What do you do that is bigger than you? I mean really when its all said and done that’s the stuff that matters…the stuff that leaves a legacy is what you participate in that leaves a lasting difference in someones life. Its not about how much water I sell. Its not about the size of my truck/house or other material things. That stuff is all going to burn up one day. I hope that I can make it a priority to make a lasting impression on someones life for good. Maybe its a kickball game to raise awareness for children in slavery, maybe its that extra effort each day to spend time with your children, maybe its that phone call that you need to make, maybe its those words you need to say…I don’t know what it is for you but I do know that if we open our eyes the opportunities are there. We just have to act on them. Here are a few pictures from the World record Kickball game. Congrats to all who participated. What a cool event. Enjoy…be inspired to DO something that makes a difference in the lives of people.
