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Understanding the relationship between dog ownership and children's physical activity and sedentary behaviour
Author(s) -
Christian H.,
Trapp G.,
Lauritsen C.,
Wright K.,
GilesCorti B.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
pediatric obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.226
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 2047-6310
pISSN - 2047-6302
DOI - 10.1111/j.2047-6310.2012.00113.x
Subject(s) - overweight , physical activity , medicine , obesity , promotion (chess) , childhood obesity , sedentary behavior , screen time , sedentary lifestyle , demography , physical therapy , endocrinology , sociology , politics , political science , law
Summary What is already known about this subject Dog ownership is a catalyst for physical activity in adults. Approximately 50–70% of A ustralian households with children have a dog. Dog‐facilitated physical activity may be an effective way to increase physical activity and decrease child overweight and obesity.What this study adds Dog ownership was associated with self‐reported walking and physical activity, but not parent‐report screen use or measured weight status. The results highlight the potential for dog ownership to significantly impact children's physical activity levels. Within dog‐owning families, the promotion of walking and active play with a dog may be a strategy to increase children's physical activity and curb obesity.Background Dog ownership is a catalyst for physical activity in adults. Given 50–70% of Australian households with children have a dog, dog‐facilitated physical activity may be an effective way to increase physical activity and decrease child obesity. Objective We hypothesized that children with a family dog walk more, are more physically active and are more likely to achieve recommended levels of weekly physical activity compared with children who do not have a dog. Method Cross‐sectional data from the W estern A ustralian TR ravel, E nvironment, and K ids project (TREK) were analyzed for 1218 children aged 10–12 years. Individual and environment factors, child physical activity, walking, screen use, sedentary behaviour and dog ownership status was collected from child and parent questionnaires. Children's height and weight were measured. Results Approximately 60% of children had a family dog. Dog ownership was associated with, on average, 29 more minutes of walking and 142 more minutes of physical activity per week ( P ≤ 0.01). After adjustment, children with a dog were 49% more likely to achieve the recommended level of weekly physical activity (420 min) and 32% more likely to have walked in their neighbourhood in the last week, compared with non‐dog owners ( P ≤ 0.05). These relationships varied by gender. Dog ownership was not associated with screen use or weight status. Conclusions Dog ownership was associated with walking and physical activity, but not screen use or weight status. Within dog‐owning families, the promotion of walking and active play with a dog may be a strategy to increase children's physical activity.