Which population is at the highest risk for dehydration?

Elderly individuals are at the highest risk for dehydration due to several physiological and situational factors. As people age, their total body water content decreases, meaning they have a lower fluid reserve. Additionally, the aging process can diminish the body's ability to conserve water and the thirst mechanism becomes less effective, which can lead to a decreased fluid intake.

Elderly individuals may also have underlying health conditions or take medications that increase diuresis or can affect hydration status. Furthermore, factors like mobility issues can hinder an elderly person's ability to access fluids regularly. These combined factors contribute to their vulnerability to dehydration, making them the population at the highest risk.

Other populations, such as middle-aged adults or teenagers, generally maintain better hydration status and have more efficient physiological mechanisms to regulate fluid balance. Infants are also at risk; however, their caregivers usually provide adequate hydration, making them less of a concern in adult populations. Thus, while dehydration can affect various groups, elderly individuals face unique challenges that increase their risk significantly.