Get the Facts: Data and Research on Water Consumption
Plain water consumption varies by age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
- During 2015–2018, US children and adolescents drank an average of 23 ounces of plain water daily, and US adults drank an average of 44 ounces.
- Among US children and adolescents, plain water intake is significantly lower in younger children, non-Hispanic Black children or Hispanic children (compared to non-Hispanic White children), those living in lower-income households, youth whose head of household had less than a high school education (compared to college or higher), and those who are underweight or normal weight (compared to those with obesity) (Table 1).
- Among US adults, plain water intake is significantly lower in older adults, non-Hispanic Black adults (compared to non-Hispanic White adults), adults with lower income and lower education, and adults without obesity (Table 2).
Table 1
Mean Daily Plain Watera Intakes Among US Children and Adolescents Aged 2 to 19 Years, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2018b
* Significantly different from the reference group (P <0.05).
a Plain water included plain tap water, water from a drinking fountain, water from a water cooler, bottled water, and spring water.
b Data were from a single 24-hour dietary recall and estimates were weighed.
c Weight status was based on calculated body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) from measured weight and height data: underweight/healthy weight (BMI <85th percentile), overweight (BMI 85th to 95th percentile), obesity (BMI ≥95th percentile), in relation to the 2000 CDC growth charts age- and sex-specific percentiles.
Table 2
Mean Daily Plain Watera Intakes Among US Adults Aged 20 Years and Older, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2018b
GED: General Educational Development.
* Significantly different from the reference group (P <0.05).
a Plain water included plain tap water, water from a drinking fountain, water from a water cooler, bottled water, and spring water.
b Data were from a single 24-hour dietary recall and estimates were weighed.
c Weight status was based on calculated body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2): underweight/healthy weight, BMI <25; overweight, BMI 25 to <30; obesity, BMI ≥30.
