46 percent of Indonesian Population Dehydration

The term dehydration is already familiar, but this condition is often overlooked. When in fact quite dangerous dehydration, severe levels of dehydration can cause death. Based on recent studies Indonesia 46.1 percent of people experiencing mild dehydration.

It was presented by prof. Dr.Ir.Hardinsyah in the research report, The Indonesian Regional Study hydration (Thirst). The study was a collaboration of three universities in Indonesia, namely the Faculty of Human Ecology, Bogor Agricultural University, Graduate School of Public Health Faculty of Hasanuddin University, Makassar, and School of Public Health, Airlangga University, Surabaya.

Dehydration, which means the lack of body fluids because of the amount of fluid that came out more than the amount of fluid intake, this can affect anyone, from small children to the elderly.

Dehydration is divided into three types, mild dehydration (if the decline in body fluids 1-2 percent of body weight), dehydration is (if the reduction of body fluids between 5-10 percent of body weight), and severe dehydration (if the decline in body fluids of more than 10 percent of body weight).

Dehydration can lead to disturbances in brain function, such as decreased concentration and ability to think in addition to the physical stamina and reduces labor productivity. "The lack of one percent of water alone can cause disruption to remember," said Prof.Dr.Hardinsyah.

In a survey conducted in six cities located in the highlands and lowlands in Indonesia, namely Jakarta, Lembang, Surabaya, Malang, Makasar, and Malino, involving 1,200 respondents aged 15-55 years found 46.1 percent dehydrated by percentage larger juvenile, which is about 49.5 percent. Percentage is also higher in populations living in the lowlands, such as Jakarta, Surabaya and Makassar.

Teens are more susceptible to dehydration because at this age they are generally happy to perform various physical activities that would drain power as well as body fluids. In addition, 46-82 percent of respondents answered do not understand the use of water for the body as well as symptoms and effects of dehydration.

According Hardinsyah, in addition to knowledge about drinking water, lack of access to safe drinking water and quality and environmental factors involved aggravate the level of dehydration. "Many children who are lazy to drink because they are not available in the school toilets are clean so that they are confused when have to pee," he explained.

To overcome this problem, Prof. Hardinsyah said increasing knowledge and changing people's behavior in water consumption needs to be done. "The government can work together with the private sector through a program of social responsibility (CSR) to educate and provide clean toilets in schools," he said.

Actually the government through the General Guidelines for Balanced Nutrition has included the importance of drinking water as part of the adequacy of nutrition for a healthy body. Unfortunately it is not socialized. "People need water more than food," said Prof.Hardinsyah.

The amount of water needed by the body so may vary in weight, energy requirements, activity level, gender, and environment. If likened to the energy needs of teenagers and adults around 1800-3000 kcal, then someone needs water about 1.8 to 3 liters of water per day. Because a third of our body's water consumption was also obtained from food, the water consumption of beverages is about 2 liters per day.