The different types of exercise that dog owners (DO) and non-dog owners (NDO) report participating in requires investigation. Nevertheless, considering the number of households that own dogs (e.g 24% UK 8, 48% USA 9, and 39% Australia 10), even small effect sizes might contribute considerable additional physical activity at the population level provided, of course, that the dogs are actually walked. However findings from some studies have been inconsistent, mainly because some owners do not walk with their dogs 6, 7. A 2013 review concluded considerable evidence that dog owners were more physically active than people without a dog with small to moderate effect sizes 1. It is recommended that adults undertake at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) per week 3, but this is achieved by only 66% of men and 58% of women in the England 4, and under 50% of US adults 5. Evidence suggests dog ownership is associated with lower risk of death, and a lower risk of cardiovascular conditions at least in single-person households, where the participant may be more highly obligated to dog walk 2. Policies regarding public spaces and housing should support dog ownership due to PA benefits.ĭog ownership is of public health interest due to the potential to promote health-enhancing physical activity (PA) and improved cardiovascular outcomes 1. Dog ownership is associated with more recreational walking and considerably greater odds of meeting PA guidelines. Children with dogs reported more minutes of walking (P = 0.01) and free-time (unstructured) activity (P < 0.01). The odds of DO meeting current physical activity guidelines of 150 mins per week were four times greater than for NDO (OR = 4.10, 95% CI = 2.05–8.19, P < 0.001). Other PA undertaken did not differ by dog ownership. Survey PA outcomes were modelled using hierarchical logistic and linear multivariable regression modelling, accounting for clustering of participants in households.
Objective (accelerometer) validation occurred on a subset (n = 28 adults). A survey of 191 dog owning adults (DO), 455 non-dog owning adults (NDO), and 46 children, living in 385 households in West Cheshire UK, was conducted in July-August 2015. Previous research suggests that dog owners are slightly more physically active than those without dogs, but have only studied one household member, and it is unclear whether time spent dog walking replaces other physical activity (PA).
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