The Attention Levels and Water Consumption in 9-10-Year-Old Children: Quasi-experimental Study

Abstract

Abstract Aim; Inadequate fluid consumption is a very common problem in children. Fluid consumption is an important factor affecting attention levels in children. The study was performed with quasi-experimental design to investigate the impact of water consumption on attention of children aged 9-10-years. Method; The population of the study comprised students aged 9-10 years attending a primary school in a city of Turkey. The study was completed with 57 children in the intervention group and 82 in the control group. Data were collected by personal information form, daily fluid consumption form and d2 attention test. Before the attention test, each child was given a closed glass of 250 ml water and all children were requested to drink the water. Results; Children who consumed 250 ml water showed significantly higher psychomotor speed, attention performance, and concentration scores, and lower attention fluctuation compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Error scores were lower but not statistically significant. Effect size indicated a strong impact of water intake on attention (d = 1.14). Conclusion; Consuming 250 ml water in addition to daily consumption of fluid to children was determined to positively affect psychomotor performance, ability to sustain attention and attention levels. In order to increase the attention level of children, it is recommended that they gain regular fluid consumption behavior. Keywords: Attention; Water consumption; Hydration; Children; Cognitive performance

Keywords

• Attention
• Water consumption
• Hydration
• Children
• Cognitive performance

The Attention Levels and Water Consumption in 9-10-Year-Old Children: Quasi-experimental Study

Abstract

Giriş ve Amaç: Yetersiz sıvı alımı, çocuklarda oldukça yaygın görülen bir sorundur. Sıvı tüketimi, çocukların dikkat düzeylerini etkileyen önemli bir faktördür. Bu çalışma, 9–10 yaş aralığındaki çocuklarda su tüketiminin dikkat üzerindeki etkisini araştırmak amacıyla yarı deneysel desenle gerçekleştirilmiştir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Araştırmanın evrenini, Türkiye'deki bir ilde yer alan bir ilkokula devam eden 9–10 yaş aralığındaki öğrenciler oluşturmuştur. Çalışma, müdahale grubunda 57, kontrol grubunda ise 82 çocukla tamamlanmıştır. Veriler; kişisel bilgi formu, günlük sıvı tüketim formu ve d2 dikkat testi ile toplanmıştır. Dikkat testi uygulanmadan önce her çocuğa 250 ml kapalı bir bardak su verilmiş ve suyu içmeleri istenmiştir. Bulgular: 250 ml su tüketen çocuklar, kontrol grubuna kıyasla psikomotor hız, dikkat performansı ve konsantrasyon puanlarında anlamlı olarak daha yüksek, dikkat dalgalanmasında ise daha düşük puanlar elde ettiler (p < 0,001). Hata puanları daha düşüktü ancak istatistiksel olarak anlamlı değildi. Etki büyüklüğü, su alımının dikkat üzerinde güçlü bir etkisi olduğunu gösterdi (d = 1,14). Sonuç: Günlük sıvı tüketimine ek olarak çocuklara 250 ml su verilmesinin, psikomotor performansı, dikkati sürdürme becerisini ve dikkat düzeylerini olumlu yönde etkilediği belirlenmiştir. Çocukların dikkat düzeylerini artırmak amacıyla, düzenli sıvı tüketimi alışkanlığı kazanmalarının teşvik edilmesi önerilmektedir. Anahtar kelimeler: Dikkat; Su tüketimi; Hidrasyon; Çocuklar; Bilişsel performans

Keywords

• Dikkat
• Su tüketimi
• Hidrasyon
• Çocuklar
• Bilişsel performans

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