According to the latest research in England, children who have a dog for a pet are less likely to be obese. Children who are obese in childhood are at increased risk of developing a range of chronic health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, bone and joint problems, asthma, disrupted sleep patterns, liver and gall bladder disease, early physical maturity and depression.
The researchers from St George's, University of London placed activity monitors to record movement levels of 2,065 children ages 9 and 10 over the course of seven days. The children were from 78 schools in London, Birmingham and Leicester, 202 of whom owned dogs.
Results showed that the children with dogs spent an average of 325 minutes (more than five hours) doing physical activity per day, 11 more minutes than those without household dogs. This included light, moderate, moderate to vigorous, and vigorous activity. Dog owners also spent 11 fewer minutes (562 minutes over the seven-day stint) in sedentary behavior each day. The pet owners were found to take 360 more steps (4 percent) than the other kids.
Lead researcher Christopher Owen, senior lecturer in epidemiology said, “The more active lifestyles of children from dog-owning families [are] really interesting – is it that owning a dog makes you more active or that more active families choose to have a dog? It's a bit of a chicken and egg question. Long-term studies are needed to answer it, but it may be a bit of both.”
Owen added, “If children really are going for walks with their dog, this may be one way to encourage more kids to be active.” He said that previous research has shown that after getting a dog both the owner and the dog both avoided obesity.
This study was published in the American Journal of Public Health and was carried out as part of the Child Heart And health Study in England (CHASE). The study is being undertaken with the support of The Wellcome Trust.
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