Risk factors for underweight and overweight in cats in metropolitan Sydney, Australia

Teng, Kendy Tzu-Yun; McGreevy, Paul D.; Toribio, Jenny‐Ann L.M.L.; Raubenheimer, David; Kendall, Kim; Dhand, Navneet K.

doi:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.05.021

Cited by 25 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Geriatric cats were less likely to be overweight compared with mature cats in both cohorts, in concordance with previous studies [ 6 , 11 , 13 , 34 , 36 ]. Sarcopenia is a natural age-related change that likely contributes to this finding, as well as the presence of concurrent diseases causing weight loss more commonly seen in older cats, such as chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and dental problems [ 54 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Birman and Persian cat breeds showed a decreased risk of overweight in our study. We did not identify any particular cat breed at an increased risk of being overweight, but when comparing purebred and domestic cats in the questionnaire cohort, the domestic cats were more often overweight, similar to what has been shown previously [ 6 , 12 , 13 ]. There is also an increased risk for DM in domestic cats compared with purebred cats [ 53 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

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Overweight in adult cats: a cross-sectional study

Öhlund

Palmgren²,

Holst

2018

Acta Vet Scand

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BackgroundOverweight in cats is a major risk factor for diabetes mellitus and has also been associated with other disorders. Overweight and obesity are believed to be increasing problems in cats, as is currently seen in people, with important health consequences. The objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalence of overweight in cats from two different cohorts in a cross-sectional study design and to assess associations between overweight and diagnoses, and between overweight and demographic and environmental factors. Data were obtained from medical records for cats (n = 1072) visiting an academic medical center during 2013–2015, and from a questionnaire on insured cats (n = 1665). From the medical records, information on body condition score, breed, age, sex, neutering status, and diagnosis was obtained. The questionnaire included questions relating to the cat’s body condition, breed, age, sex, neutering status, outdoor access, activity level, and diet. Data were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression.ResultsThe prevalence of overweight was 45% in the medical records cohort and 22% in the questionnaire cohort, where owners judged their pet’s body condition. Overweight cats in the medical records cohort were more likely to be diagnosed with lower urinary tract disease, diabetes mellitus, respiratory disease, skin disorders, locomotor disease, and trauma. Eating predominantly dry food, being a greedy eater, and inactivity were factors associated with an increased risk of overweight in the final model in the questionnaire cohort. In both cohorts, the Birman and Persian breeds, and geriatric cats, were less likely to be overweight, and male cats were more likely to be overweight.ConclusionsThe prevalence of overweight cats (45%) as assessed by trained personnel was high and in the same range as previously reported. Birman and Persian cats had a lower risk of overweight. The association with dry food found in adult, neutered cats is potentially important because this type of food is commonly fed to cats worldwide, and warrants further attention. Drawbacks related to the study design need to be acknowledged when interpreting the results, such as a potential for selection bias for cats visiting an animal hospital, and an information bias for questionnaire data. The high occurrence of overweight in cats needs to be addressed because it negatively affects their health.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13028-018-0359-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Overweight in adult cats: a cross-sectional study

Öhlund

Palmgren²,

Holst

2018

Acta Vet Scand

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“…The source population included all cats that had visited a specific cat‐dominant primary accession clinic, where a 9‐point BCS evaluation for cats was routinely applied [85% of the visits involved BCS evaluation (Teng et al . )], between January 3, 2005 and June 21, 2015. The data were provided by the clinic as electronic patient records.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ethical approval for the study was granted by the University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee under the broader approval for the VetCompass Australia project (reference num ber: 2013/919). The source population included all cats that had visited a specific catdominant primary accession clinic, where a 9point BCS evaluation for cats was routinely applied [85% of the visits involved BCS evaluation (Teng et al 2017)], between January 3, 2005 and June 21, 2015. The data were provided by the clinic as electronic patient records.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations of body condition score with health conditions related to overweight and obesity in cats

Teng

McGreevy

Toribio

et al. 2018

J of Small Animal Practice

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As far as we know, this is the first study reporting positive associations of high body condition score with atopic dermatitis, hypertension, asthma, diarrhoea, ophthalmic conditions and allergic conditions in cats. A large number of positive associations between health conditions and high body condition score indicates that excess fat mass should be given a greater emphasis in preventive health care for cats.

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“…Healthy weight intact male cats in a population genetically predisposed to overweight [29] have similar metabolic responses to a high carbohydrate to genetically lean cats, but lower fasting insulin levels [30] might indicate relative insulin sensitivity. A population study of cats in metropolitan Sydney, Australia, identified that mixed breed and British shorthair were more likely to be overweight than other purebred cats [31].…”

Section: Genetic Predispositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feline obesity and diabetes: a One Health perspective.

Lewitt¹

2019

CABI Reviews

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There is increasing awareness of obesity and diabetes mellitus in cats that parallels the 'epidemic' of obesity and type 2 diabetes in humans. Likewise, understanding of the pathophysiology and management of feline obesity and diabetes has developed alongside and draws from human medicine. As in human medicine, overweight and obesity are associated with the development with diabetes; however, there are other genetic and environmental influences that contribute to this risk, some of which are shared. In cats, the body condition score appears to be a good diagnostic tool. It is reliable in the hands of owners and is likely to reflect visceral adiposity. However, the diagnostic label of feline obesity should be considered against the rate of success of any intervention, owner perspectives and impact on cat quality of life, as well as risk of future disease. The classification of human diabetes is evolving towards one that is more closely linked to disease outcome and therefore management. Consideration could be given to classifying the diabetes of hypersomatotropism and that associated with exogenous glucocorticoid administration in cats, separately in veterinary medicine. Rather regarding feline obesity and diabetes as models of human disease, a closer interdisciplinary 'One Health' approach between veterinary and human medicine is warranted to advance research and clinical care in this field.

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Risk factors for underweight and overweight in cats in metropolitan Sydney, Australia

Cited by 25 publications

References 36 publications

Overweight in adult cats: a cross-sectional study

Overweight in adult cats: a cross-sectional study

Associations of body condition score with health conditions related to overweight and obesity in cats

Feline obesity and diabetes: a One Health perspective.

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