3rd Annual Hydration For Health Scientific Conference, Evian, July 2011
This meeting was hosted on July 1st in Evian.
A distinguished body of international scientific and medical experts convened in Evian, France on 1st July 2011 for the third Annual ‘Hydration for Health’ Scientific meeting. This event aims to provide a platform for international scientific exchange on the science related to hydration and health. This year’s meeting focussed on worldwide growing public health issues related to poor hydration, and the practical steps that can be taken to help people improve their drinking behaviour.The meeting was chaired by Tam Fry, honorary chairman of the Child Growth Foundation, who introduced the key presentation sessions: “Societal Stakes”, “New Science: Behavioural evidence”, “New Science: Clinical evidence”, and “Interventional for behaviour change”.
Presenters included Prof. Armstrong, a specialist in sports physiologist and an expert in hydration, Dr Gandy of the British Dietetic Association, Prof. Johnson of the University of Colorado (USA), Prof. Kavouras of Harokopio University (Greece), Dr Ma of the Centre for Disease Control (China), Dr Muckelbauer of the Berlin School of Public Health (Germany), Dr Pross of FORENAP (France), Prof. Ritz of the International Society of Nephrology, and Dr Strippoli of the University of Sydney (Australia).
The presentation sessions were followed by a roundtable discussion led by an expert panel including Prof. Johnson (University of Colorado, USA), Prof. Barquera (National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico), Prof. Kavouras (Harokopio University, Greece), and Dr. Jiménez (Danone Research).The panelists agreed that more needs to be done to achieve necessary ‘step changes’, despite the fact that scientific evidence and consensus in favour of healthy hydration is advancing, and recognition that many populations currently exhibit less-than-ideal liquid intake behaviours.
The meeting reflected growing support for stronger recognition and adoption of healthy hydration practices. Key points that emerged from the discussions include the following:
- Water is a possible simple preventative step against chronic kidney disease
- Liquid intake studies can provide a basis for informed nutrition policies
- Hydration markers are currently in development and clarity on the most suitable tools is emerging
- Behaviour changing programmes can and do achieve sustainable results
