***

The CDC study called 4 cups a moderate amount; not a recommendation. The average American drinks about 2.5 cups. The U.S. government’s official dietary recommendation document reads:

Here is that "adequate intake" recommendation from the Institute of Medicine. The Mayo Clinic's recommendation is "If you drink enough fluid so that you rarely feel thirsty and produce 1.5 liters (6.3 cups) or more of colorless or light yellow urine a day, your fluid intake is probably adequate." Not that you have to measure your urine every day, but you get it. The Institute of Medicine likewise sidesteps quantified intake guidelines and takes an Al Jones-esque approach: "Let thirst be your guide." That’s what most doctors will tell you, too.

Today’s launch of the pro-water initiative is a part of Mrs. Obama’s pro-movement movement, Let’s Move! (Mission: “to ensure all our children grow up healthy” via providing American families with” simple, actionable information to make healthy choices.”)

What could be simpler and actionable-r than a call to drink more water?

Mrs. Obama, we love you. We also love kids and believe they should be healthy. But let’s actually not move on this for a minute, because it’s missing all the points.

***

Sam Kass joined the White House via the kitchen staff in 2009, when he took job as Assistant Chef. He is now Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition Policy [again, possibly sic; seems redundant]. He is also Executive Director of “Let’s Move!” Kass briefed members of the press yesterday, including me, about the launch of Drink Up.

As Kass put it, “Water is our original energy drink. It's a really exciting, fun, and positive campaign that will inspire people to drink more water.”

Agh! Why?

He said that the campaign will bring together “leaders from industry, entertainment, media and government around the simple message that water is one of the best and easiest choices every one of us can make every day.”

As August put it, “This new effort will remind people that more water helps you have more energy and stamina so you can do more, longer and with better focus.” I’d love that to be true.

Plus, PLUS, the average United States person is already drinking 38 percent more water than 15 years ago. It is true that a quarter of kids are drinking no water at all, that doesn't make it prudent to tell everyone to drink more. Too much water can be as bad as too little.

Americans reporting drinking water in a given day

One of my colleagues asked the question that was on my tongue: What are the health benefits you refer to?

Kass replied, "I think the science and evidence about hydration abounds. Starting with headaches, it leads to many more conditions. But this isn't a public health campaign. We think that being positive is most important, not getting into all the details about what a glass of water can do for you, is the message."