The PPET Study: people and pets exercising together.
OBJECTIVE
Obesity is a significant public health problem that is affecting people and their pets. The human-companion animal bond and the role of pets in providing social support provides a rationale framework for studying the effectiveness of a combined people and pets (PP) exercising together (PPET) weight loss program.


METHODS
Thirty-six pairs of overweight or obese people with an obese pet (PP) and 56 overweight or obese people only (PO) participated in a 1-year prospective controlled weight loss study. In a group format, people received dietary and physical activity counseling, and dogs were fed a calorie-controlled prescription diet. Physical activity was recorded using the physical activity recall questionnaire.


RESULTS
Completion rates at 1 year were 61% for the PP group and 58% for the PO group. Mean weight losses at 12 months using last observation carried forward were 4.7% (PP) and 5.2% (PO). Mean weight loss among the dogs was 15%. Time spent in physical activity increased in both groups to 3.9 (PP) and 3.5 (PO) h/wk. Two-thirds of total physical activity in the PP group was spent with the dogs.


CONCLUSIONS
The PPET study is the first program to demonstrate the effectiveness of a combined PP weight loss program. This fresh approach to the dual obesity epidemic builds on the human-companion animal bond. Consideration of social support for weight loss of family members, friends, and coworkers should be extended to include pets.
Kushner
Robert F
RF
Wellness Institute, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 150 East Huron, Suite 1100, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. rkushner@nmh.org
Blatner
Dawn Jackson
DJ
Jewell
Dennis E
DE
Rudloff
Kimberly
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D015992:Body Mass Index; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D003376:Counseling; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D004285:Dogs; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology