WATER

Consuming an adequate amount of water each day is essential for a range of physiological functions including digestion, absorption and transportation of nutrients, elimination of waste and regulation of body temperature.¹

Water can be plain (tap or bottled), or derived from beverages (e.g. tea, coffees or alcoholic drinks etc.) and as moisture from food sources. But drinking plain water is the most effective way to stay hydrated without undesirable energy, stimulant or diuretic effects.

Because the amount of water required varies depending on individual factors including body size, diet, climate and levels of physical activity¹ the Australian Dietary Guidelines do not provide target amounts for consumption, but make the general recommendation that Australians “drink plenty of water”.

	Definitions Plain water - tap and unflavoured bottled water Water from non-discretionary beverages - the water component of non-discretionary beverages, for instance water added to tea of coffee Remaining beverages - everything else that makes up the difference between the above two categories and total beverages. This includes discretionary beverages (including alcohol), soft drinks, milk and milk beverages, fruit juice as well as the non-water components of non-discretionary beverages. Excludes water. Total beverages- all beverages consumed, both water and non-water components

CONSUMPTION OF PLAIN WATER

In 2012-13, the average amount of plain water, either tap or bottled, consumed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people each day was around one litre (997 ml). The average amount consumed steadily increased with age, peaking at 1,161 ml among those aged 19-50 years, followed by a drop in consumption in the older age groups. Overall, males had an average higher consumption of plain water than females (1,057 ml compared with 938 ml).

(a) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
(b) Based on Day 1. See Glossary for definition.
(c) Includes tap and unflavoured bottled water.
Source: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey, 2012-13.

On average, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people consumed an additional 262 ml of water derived from non-discretionary beverages (mainly tea and coffee). This brought the average amount of plain water and water from non-discretionary beverages consumed to a total of 1,259 ml per day. The water from non-discretionary beverages provided a considerable source of water for adults, especially for those aged 51-70 years (588ml) reflecting higher consumption of tea and coffee.


PLAIN WATER AS A PROPORTION OF TOTAL BEVERAGE CONSUMPTION

Plain water contributed less than half (48%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ total beverage consumption in 2012-13, with 28% from discretionary beverages (mainly soft drinks, alcohol and cordial) and 13% from water within non-discretionary beverages (mainly tea and coffee). The balance (12%) was made up of non-water based non-discretionary beverages such as juice and milk drinks.

(a) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
(b) Based on Day 1. See Glossary for definition.
(c) Includes all discretionary non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages, fruit juice, milk and milk substitutes.
(d) Includes the water component of non-discretionary beverages such as tea and coffee.
(e) Includes tap and unflavoured bottled water.
Source: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey, 2012-13.

Plain water consumed as a proportion of total beverages was significantly higher among children than adults (54% compared with 45%). Plain water as a proportion of all beverages tended to decrease in age groups from 12-13 years and older, although the substitution from non-discretionary sources was generally with tea and coffee.


BY REMOTENESS

In 2012-13, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote and non-remote areas consumed a similar amount of plain or tap water on an average day. However, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote areas consumed more water from non-discretionary beverages (such as tea and coffee) as a proportion of total beverages than those in non-remote areas (15% compared with 12% of total beverages).


COMPARED WITH NON-INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people consumed less plain water, on average, than non-Indigenous people (997 ml compared with 1,073 ml). In particular, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 19-50 years consumed around 100 ml less on average than non-Indigenous adults in the same age group (1,161 ml compared with 1,273 ml).

(a) Based on Day 1. See Glossary for definition.
(b) Includes tap and unflavoured bottled water.
Sources: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey, 2012-13 and the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey, 2011-12.

As a proportion of total beverages consumed, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people consumed a lower proportion of plain water than non-Indigenous people (48% compared with 50%).


ENDNOTES

1. National Health and Medical Research Council, 2013, Australian Dietary Guidelines. Canberra: Australian Government. <https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/n55_australian_dietary_guidelines_130530.pdf >, Last accessed 27/10/2016