Oral Presentation The International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ): 27th Annual Conference 2018

Dog owners are more likely to meet physical activity guidelines. (#24)

Carri Westgarth 1 , Robert M Christley 1 , Christopher Jewell 2 , Alexander J German 3 , Lynne M Boddy 4 , Hayley E Christian 5
  1. Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Neston, Cheshire, United Kingdom
  2. Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
  3. Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Neston, Cheshire, United Kingdom
  4. School of Sport and Exercise Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
  5. School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia

Introduction. Dog ownership is of public health interest due to the potential to promote health-enhancing physical activity and improved health outcomes. Previous research suggests that dog owners are slightly more physically active than those without dogs, but have only studied one household member, likely biased towards the person who cares for the dog. Further, it is unclear whether time spent dog walking represents additional exercise to dog owners or replaces other physical activity, possibly of greater intensity.

Methodology. During a survey of a community of 1280 households, data were collected from 191 dog owning adults (DO), 455 non-dog owning adults (NDO), and 46 children. Survey questions included sociodemographic variables, perceived general health, body mass index, frequency and time spent walking with or without a dog, frequency and time spent in moderate-to vigorous activities (MVPA), and perceived social support for walking from friends and family members. Accelerometry was also conducted on a subset of adults from both groups (n=31 adults). Physical activity outcomes were modelled for dog ownership using hierarchical logistic and linear regression modelling, accounting for clustering of participants in households and adjustment for confounders associated with physical activity and dog ownership.

Main Results. DO were far more likely than NDO to walk for recreation (OR=14.35, 95% CI=5.77-35.79, P<0.001), and amongst recreational walkers DO also walked for 39% longer per week (OR=1.39, 95%CI=1.27-5.91, P<0.001). The odds of transport walking was lower in DO than NDO (OR=0.32, 95%CI=0.19-0.53, P<0.001). MVPA and participation in different sports and activities did not differ in regards to dog ownership. Overall, DO were 4 times (OR=4.10, 95% CI=2.05-8.19, P<0.001) more likely to meet current physical activity guidelines of 150 mins per week than NDO. DO children also reported more minutes of walking (P=0.01) and free-time activity (eg. playing) than NDO children (P<0.01).

Principal Conclusions and Implications for Field. Dog ownership is associated with large amounts of recreational walking and considerably increases the odds of an adult meeting recommended physical activity guidelines. The difference in physical activity levels between DO and NDO in a UK population is far greater than estimates from previous studies in other countries.