Understanding Dog Owners’ Increased Levels of Physical Activity: Results From RESIDE

Abstract

We examined the influence of dog ownership on physical activity, independent of demographic, intrapersonal, and perceived environmental factors, in a cross-sectional survey of 1813 adults. Although only 23% of the dog owners walked their dogs 5 or more times per week, the adjusted odds of achieving sufficient physical activity and walking were 57% to 77% higher among dog owners compared with those not owning dogs (P< .05). Dog ownership was independently associated with physical activity and walking. Actively encouraging more dog walking may increase community physical activity levels.

Prática de caminhada no lazer e no deslocamento e associação com fatores socioeconômicos e ambiente percebido em adultos

“…Some authors suggest that social support from dogs can positively impact the practice of walking 27,28 . This effect is related to the number of sessions and time of walking per week 27 and to the chance of achieving recommended levels of walking 28 .…”

“…This effect is related to the number of sessions and time of walking per week 27 and to the chance of achieving recommended levels of walking 28 . Despite such evidence, the present study found this association only in the bivariate model, which seems to disappears in the crude logistic regression model (OR = 1.38 CI = 0.87-2.18).…”

Pet Ownership and Cardiovascular Risk

“…267.1, P<0.001) and walking (150.3 versus 110.9, P<0.001) and were 57% more likely to meet the recommended level of physical activity than nonowners. 27 A Canadian study (n=351) found that dog owners walked an average of 300 minutes per week compared with 168 minutes per week for nonowners (P<0.01), with the obligation to care for one's dog being the key mediator of this association. 28 After controlling for sociodemographic, health, and housing characteristics, the California Health Interview Survey found that dog owners walked 18.9 minutes more per week than pet nonowners.…”

“…25,26,[41][42][43][44] Unfortunately, a significant proportion of dog owners do not regularly walk their dogs. 25,27,31,36,43,45 No significant associations have been reported between physical activity and cat or other types of pet ownership. 18,25,26,30,38,39,46 Several studies have assessed changes in physical activity after acquisition of a pet.…”

Physical Activity and Welfare of Guide Dogs and Walking Activity of Their Partners

“…Studies over the last decade reveal that dog owners are somewhat more physically active than non-dog owners (Cutt et al 2008;Oka andShibata 2009, Lail, McCormack andRock 2011;Christian et al 2013). Also, lower obesity was reported among dog owners who walked their dogs (> 0 min per week) compared with dog owners who did not walk their dogs (0 min per week) and non-dog owners (Coleman et al 2008).…”