Dog Walking Is Associated With a Favorable Risk Profile Independent of a Moderate to High Volume of Physical Activity

Lentino, Cindy; Visek, Amanda J.; McDonnell, Karen A.; DiPietro, Loretta

doi:10.1123/jpah.9.3.414

Cited by 62 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Promotion of dogwalking may be such a strategy because it is estimated that 40% of US households own a dog (American Pet Products Association 2011). Results from recent cross-sectional studies indicate that dog owners are more physically active than non-dog owners and that dog-walking is positively associated with meeting PA recommendations (Hoerster et al 2011;Lentino et al 2012;Moudon et al 2007;Reeves et al 2011). Although dog-walking appears to play an important role in higher levels of PA among dog owners, dog ownership does not necessarily lead to increased PA.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Psychosocial and environmental factors associated with dog-walking

Richards

McDonough

Edwards

et al. 2013

International Journal of Health Promotion and Education

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Dog walking is associated with higher levels of physical activity (PA). However, not all dog owners walk their dog(s) at a level sufficient for health benefits. Therefore, identifying correlates of dog-walking may help to inform the design of more effective interventions to promote this specific form of PA. The purpose of this study was to examine psychosocial and environmental correlates of dog-walking and relationships of dog-walking with overall PA. In 2010, 391 dog owners (mean age ¼ 43.6^12.3 years) completed a survey. Multiple logistic regression and structural equation modeling were used to examine psychosocial and environmental correlates of dogwalking status, weekly minutes of dog-walking, and relationships of dog-walking with overall PA. Self-efficacy for dog-walking, dog-related outcome expectancies, family social support, dog social support, and neighborhood walking environment were associated with a 1.3 -5.6 greater odds of being a dog walker. Self-efficacy mediated relationships between family support, dog support, and presence of a yard and dogwalking. Neighborhood environment, including the presence of greenery and trails, was also positively associated with duration of dog-walking (b ¼ 0.17; p , 0.05). Every 30-minute increase in dog-walking was associated with a 23% greater odds of meeting PA guidelines by walking. Individual, social, and environmental factors consistent with a social-ecological framework were positively associated with dogwalking. Individuals were more likely to meet PA guidelines if they walked their dog(s) and engaged in dog-walking for longer duration.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Psychosocial and environmental factors associated with dog-walking

Richards

McDonough

Edwards

et al. 2013

International Journal of Health Promotion and Education

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“…Lentino used the total metabolic equivalent (MET) minutes per week to categorize participants as participating in moderate to vigorous PA if they achieved ≥ 600 MET minutes per week. 25 Based on the findings from the studies in this review, we used the terms “meeting recommendations” or “achieving 150 minutes of at least moderate intensity PA” because they represent a level of PA participation that the study authors expected to be conducive to health.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Odds of Getting Adequate Physical Activity by Dog Walking

Soares

Epping²,

Owens³

et al. 2015

Journal of Physical Activity and Health

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Background We aimed to determine the likelihood that adult dog owners who walk their dogs will achieve a healthy level of moderate-intensity (MI) physical activity (PA), defined as at least 150 mins/wk. Methods We conducted a systematic search of 6 databases with data from 1990–2012 on dog owners’ PA, to identify those who achieved MIPA. To compare dog-walkers’ performance with non–dog walkers, we used a random effects model to estimate the unadjusted odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Results We retrieved 9 studies that met our inclusion criterion and allowed OR calculations. These yielded data on 6980 dog owners aged 18 to 81 years (41% men). Among them, 4463 (63.9%) walked their dogs. Based on total weekly PA, 2710 (60.7%) dog walkers, and 950 (37.7%) non–dog walkers achieved at least MIPA. The estimated OR was 2.74 (95% CI 2.09–3.60). Conclusion Across 9 published studies, almost 2 in 3 dog owners reported walking their dogs, and the walkers are more than 2.5 times more likely to achieve at least MIPA. These findings suggest that dog walking may be a viable strategy for dog owners to help achieve levels of PA that may enhance their health.

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“…Cross-sectional studies suggest that dog walking is positively associated with meeting PA guidelines (Christian et al, 2013;Hoerster et al, 2011;Lentino, Visek, McDonnell, & DiPietro, 2012;Reeves et al, 2011;Richards, McDonough, Edwards, Lyle, & Troped, 2013b); however, studies also suggest that many dog owners do not walk their dog(s) at a level sufficient to achieve health benefits for themselves or their dog(s) (Bauman, Russell, Furber, & Dobson, 2001;Reeves et al, 2011).…”

Section: Pa and Dog Walkingmentioning

confidence: 96%