Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 12 (x): xx-xx, 2013 ISSN 1680-5194 © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2013 Corresponding Author: Yunusa Olufadi, Department of Statistics and Mathematical Sciences, Kwara State University, Malete, PMB 1530, Ilorin, Nigeria 1 Hydration Status in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study Yunusa Olufadi , Alfred B.O. Soboyejo , Kabir Opeyemi Olorede and Adeshina Kazeem Dauda 1 2 1 1 Department of Statistics and Mathematical Sciences, Kwara State University, 1 Malete, PMB 1530, Ilorin, Nigeria Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Ohio State University, 2 Columbus, OH 43210-1057, USA Abstract: Most literatures on daily water intake are focused on developed countries and to our knowledge; there is limited information on the hydration status of Nigerians. Our objective was to describe daily water intake (DWI) among Nigerian students, develop a model for the prediction of students’ DWI and examine the association between DWI and four predictor variables. Data on DWI for 150 students aged 18-26 years were collected through a survey conducted at Kwara State University in February, 2013 together with information on their age, weight, gender and awareness of dieticians’ recommendation. Our results indicates that students’ DWI varies by gender with male students drinking more than their female counterparts; although, the awareness rate is higher in females than males. We found that nearly half of participants (44%) drank less than 2.7 L of water/day, 25% between 2.7 and 3.7 L/day and 31% reported drinking more than 3.7 L of water/day. Results also revealed that students’ DWI decline with age but increases with weight and one-in- two of the students are unaware of the dangers of poor hydration. Arguably, this study is the first description of DWI among Nigerian students and fills the gap in the literature by developing two models for the prediction of students’ DWI. In light of the significance of the knowledge and awareness of Dieticians’ recommendation on DWI (as evidence in this study) and the low awareness rate existing among the students; nutrition and health promotion program on the benefits of adequate DWI by schools and health organizations is extremely important. This has the potential of improving the health of students. Key words: Awareness, daily water intake, hydration, students, Nigeria INTRODUCTION Water is essential for life, makes up about 55-65% of the human body weight and has important physiological role in virtually every organ system in the body. Adequate intake of water is essential for optimal health and performance (physical and mental); because every living cell in human body (blood 83%, muscles 75%, brain 74% and bones 10%) depends on it for nourishment, elimination of waste, insulation, cooling and provision of a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues (Andersson, 2008). The human body water needs are obtained from two sources: food and beverages. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (EFSA, 2010) reports that about 20-30% of the total water consumed by human comes from food and about 70-80% from beverages (all types, not just plain water). We refer readers to Food Standards Agency McCance and Widdowson (2002) for a comprehensive description of the average water contents of different kinds of non- alcoholic beverages and foods. Lack of water can lead to dehydration, this occurs when there is no balance between water lost and water consumed. The symptoms of acute dehydration vary with the degree of water deficit (Greenleaf, 1986) but signs and symptoms of mild dehydration (1-2% decrease in body mass (Kavrouras, 2010) are neither specific nor sensitive, but may include thirst, tiredness, reduced alertness and lower levels of concentration (Szinnai et al., 2005; Kolasa et al., 2009). When dehydration exceeds about 2% of body weight, physical work capacity is diminished as reported by Cheuvront et al. (2009), Institute of Medicine (IOM) (2004). There have been a number of reviews in literature about the negative effect of poor hydration practice. For instance, Kleiner (1999) list light-headedness, dizziness, headaches and tiredness as some of the symptoms of mild dehydration; reduced alertness and ability to concentrate was described in Rogers et al. (2001); D’Anci et al. (2006) as another effect of poor hydration. More so, Szinnai et al. (2005); Gopinathan et al. (1988) reported that dehydration can adversely influence decision making and cognitive function, especially when considering tasks such as studying; although, the extent and duration of dehydration leading to cognitive impairment and the cognitive functions most affected remain to be investigated (Lieberman, 2007). Furthermore, as noted in Gopinathan (1988) short-term memory, attention and arithmetic efficacy can