Understanding dog owners' increased levels of physical activity: results from RESIDE.
We examined the influence of dog ownership on physical activity, independent of demographic, intrapersonal, and perceived environmental factors, in a cross-sectional survey of 1813 adults. Although only 23% of the dog owners walked their dogs 5 or more times per week, the adjusted odds of achieving sufficient physical activity and walking were 57% to 77% higher among dog owners compared with those not owning dogs (P< .05). Dog ownership was independently associated with physical activity and walking. Actively encouraging more dog walking may increase community physical activity levels.
Cutt
Hayley
H
The RESIDE Project, School of Population Health (M707), The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia. hayley.cutt@uwa.edu.au
Giles-Corti
Billie
B
Knuiman
Matthew
M
Timperio
Anna
A
Bull
Fiona
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004285:Dogs; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*