Efficacy of a Smart Water Bottle Intervention to Increase Fluid Consumption in College Students

Efficacy of a Smart Water Bottle Intervention to Increase Fluid Consumption in College Students

Approximately 60% of males and 40% of females do not meet current fluid intake recommendations, which is associated with adverse health consequences such as obesity, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Newer technologies have been designed to promote fluid intake. "Smart Water Bottles" use mHealth technology to capture fluid intake behaviors automatically and provide cues to encourage fluid consumption. Studies using Smart Water Bottles have helped some individuals increase fluid intake to help reduce kidney stone formation. However, limited research has assessed the efficacy of this technology on improving fluid intake in college students. College is a time with the potential to form healthy habits that carry into adulthood. Previous work has also identified daily changes in morning urine color, thirst perception, and body mass, as simple, inexpensive indicators of daily fluctuations in water balance. Tracking changes in these metrics has the potential to provide participants with evidence of adequate or inadequate fluid consumption. Thus, the combination of prompting from a smart water bottle, as well as daily self-monitoring changes in hydration status, may encourage college students to increase daily fluid consumption.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants must report currently drinking less than the European Food Safety Authority Recommendations for fluid, as determined by an online pre-screening survey (<2.5 L per day for males; <2.0 L per day for females).
• Has access to a cell phone which can download the app associated with the Smart Water Bottle.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently trying to gain or lose weight
• Have had surgery of the digestive tract
• Currently taking diuretics (e.g., Thiazide, Loop diuretics or potassium-sparing diuretics)
• Currently taking centrally-acting medications (e.g., anesthetics, anticonvulsants, central nervous system stimulants/amphetamines, muscle relaxants)
• Report currently consuming at least the European Food Safety Authority Recommendations for fluid, as determined by an online pre-screening survey (>= 2.5 L per day for males, >=2.0 L per day for females).
• Currently pregnant (females)