Advancing Water Security: A Community Participatory School-Based Hydration Intervention

Advancing Water Security: A Community Participatory School-Based Hydration Intervention

The goal of this study is to determine the effectiveness and sustainability of a community-participatory hydration intervention over 3 years within a district that has newly installed hydration stations and is operating under a policy designed to enhance heathy hydration practices and promote equitable access to drinking water.

The goal of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a hydration intervention on hydration station usage (primary outcome), Body Mass Index z-scores (zBMI) and dental caries (primary biomedical outcomes), and water bottle usage, beverage selection and intake, and academic outcomes (secondary outcomes).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Lunchroom observations: All students (K-5th [Pre-Kindergarten if applicable]) who eat lunch in the cafeteria on assessment days are eligible
• BMI and dental caries assessments: 1) student enrolls in study while in 3rd grade (followed through 5th g)
• Student surveys: Students in 4th-5th grade are eligible to complete surveys assessing beverage intake and perceptions of hydration practices within their school district.
• Staff surveys: All staff in the target schools will be eligible to complete the Personnel Survey.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Lunchroom observations: None.
• BMI and dental caries assessments: Students are ineligible if they are unable to complete assessments due to developmental or physical reasons, 2) planning to move in the study duration
• Student surveys: None.
• Staff surveys: None.