Which of the following do you think should be a pri-
ority:
1. Salt restriction as a public policy; or
2. Ensuring adequate water intake to prevent de-
hydration in children during school-sponsored
sports events?
It is crucial for sports coaches, teachers, and parents to en-
sure that children intake adequate amounts of water during
school-sponsored sports events to prevent dehydration.
This should be a team effort. Per WebMD (2021), children
are more likely to dehydrate than adults. This is because
their weight is considerably less, yet they have more body
surface per weight than adults. This, of course, is sped up
even more when they exercise and sweat.
As McFadden (2017) suggests, dehydration can occur quite
rapidly. In a 70 lb. child, even losing a single percent of
fluid due to sweat, can cause around a liter of body water
to be lost. Further concerning, is often children can be de-
hydrated before the sports game even begins.
So, what is dehydration? Dehydration is the result of too
much fluid lost from the body (Medline Plus, n.d.). This is
due to the body losing more fluids than it is taking in. De-
hydration can occur for a number of reasons. It may occur
due to excess sweating, vomiting during times of illness,
not drinking enough, diarrhea, an overabundance of urine
production, or compensation when a fever occurs (Medline
Plus, n.d.). Therefore, when children participate in sports
activities, they are at risk of dehydration due to excessive
sweating and being possibly distracted from drinking when
they are busy enjoying themselves.
In children, symptoms of dehydration that may occur in-
clude decreased urine output, inability to produce tears,
ority:
1. Salt restriction as a public policy; or
2. Ensuring adequate water intake to prevent de-
hydration in children during school-sponsored
sports events?
It is crucial for sports coaches, teachers, and parents to en-
sure that children intake adequate amounts of water during
school-sponsored sports events to prevent dehydration.
This should be a team effort. Per WebMD (2021), children
are more likely to dehydrate than adults. This is because
their weight is considerably less, yet they have more body
surface per weight than adults. This, of course, is sped up
even more when they exercise and sweat.
As McFadden (2017) suggests, dehydration can occur quite
rapidly. In a 70 lb. child, even losing a single percent of
fluid due to sweat, can cause around a liter of body water
to be lost. Further concerning, is often children can be de-
hydrated before the sports game even begins.
So, what is dehydration? Dehydration is the result of too
much fluid lost from the body (Medline Plus, n.d.). This is
due to the body losing more fluids than it is taking in. De-
hydration can occur for a number of reasons. It may occur
due to excess sweating, vomiting during times of illness,
not drinking enough, diarrhea, an overabundance of urine
production, or compensation when a fever occurs (Medline
Plus, n.d.). Therefore, when children participate in sports
activities, they are at risk of dehydration due to excessive
sweating and being possibly distracted from drinking when
they are busy enjoying themselves.
In children, symptoms of dehydration that may occur in-
clude decreased urine output, inability to produce tears,
