As part of the WATCH project, the initial climate measurements were successfully conducted in September at Städtische Kindertagesstätte Zechenstraße. In collaboration with the Forschungsdepartment Kinderernährung (FKE) at Ruhr University Bochum, the study investigates how changing climate conditions affect water loss in young children.

Young children are particularly vulnerable to dehydration due to their higher fluid needs and their larger body surface area relative to their body mass compared to adults, which leads to greater fluid loss through sweating. To develop appropriate hydration recommendations, medical and climatological measurements are taken on both hot and neutral days, before and after outdoor play. These measurements aim to better assess the risk of dehydration under changing urban climate conditions.

Further measurements are planned to complement the collected data and help create evidence-based hydration recommendations for the future.

Further information about the project can be found here.