Oral Water Intake across major US Industries: NHANES 1999-2004

INTRODUCTION: Physically demanding jobs can be associated with substantial water loss. Therefore there must be an emphasis on fluid replacement strategies to protect worker health and to maintain work capacity. Examining water intake variation across occupational groups may provide insight into developing such strategies.

METHODS: Data from the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a population-based survey representative of the entire US civilian population, were analyzed for respondents > 18 years who reported on their occupation/industry for the week prior to interview; their water consumption as from bottled, tap and fountain was determined using response to the food frequency questionnaire. Workers were grouped into 45 major US occupations and their mean, standard deviation, upper and lower 95%CI were tabulated by gender and employment status.

RESULTS: Overall, unemployed individuals consumed less water daily (males 1.2 Liters(L)/day, females 1.1 L/day) as compared to employed individuals (males 1.4 Liters (L)/day, females 1.2 L/day). Workers employed in Textile-mill products (1.01L/day); Private households (1.02L/day); and Rubber, plastics, and leather product manufacturing (1.03L/day) occupations consumed the least amount of water daily. Individuals employed in Justice, public order, and safety (1.67/day); Agricultural services, forestry, and fishing (1.71L/day); and Military & national security consumed the most water daily (1.74/day).

CONCLUSION: National estimates of water consumption patterns across occupational groups vary slightly and provide evidence that workers in the most physically demanding outdoor occupations consume the most water. Since access to water may be limited in these physically demanding outdoor occupations, water replacement strategies may be warranted.