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Giraudet CSE, Liu K, McElligott AG, Cobb M. Are children and dogs best friends? A scoping review to explore the positive and negative effects of child-dog interactions. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14532. [PMID: 36570006 PMCID: PMC9774011 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Personal wellbeing is greatly influenced by our childhood and adolescence, and the relationships formed during those phases of our development. The human-dog bond represents a significant relationship that started thousands of years ago. There is a higher prevalence of dog ownership around the world, especially in households including children. This has resulted in a growing number of researchers studying our interactions with dogs and an expanding evidence base from the exploration of child-dog interactions. We review the potential effects of child-dog interactions on the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of both species. A search of the SCOPUS database identified documents published between January 1980 and April 2022. Filtering for key inclusion criteria, duplicate removals, and inspecting the references of these documents for additional sources, we reviewed a total of 393 documents, 88% of which were scientific articles. We were able to define the numerous ways in which children and dogs interact, be it neutral (e.g., sharing a common area), positive (e.g., petting), or negative (e.g., biting). Then, we found evidence for an association between childhood interaction with dogs and an array of benefits such as increased physical activities, a reduction of stress, and the development of empathy. Nonetheless, several detrimental outcomes have also been identified for both humans and dogs. Children are the most at-risk population regarding dog bites and dog-borne zoonoses, which may lead to injuries/illness, a subsequent fear of dogs, or even death. Moreover, pet bereavement is generally inevitable when living with a canine companion and should not be trivialized. With a canine focus, children sometimes take part in caretaking behaviors toward them, such as feeding or going for walks. These represent opportunities for dogs to relieve themselves outside, but also to exercise and socialize. By contrast, a lack of physical activity can lead to the onset of obesity in both dogs and children. Dogs may present greater levels of stress when in the presence of children. Finally, the welfare of assistance, therapy, and free-roaming dogs who may interact with children remains underexplored. Overall, it appears that the benefits of child-dog interactions outweigh the risks for children but not for dogs; determination of the effects on both species, positive as well as negative, still requires further development. We call for longitudinal studies and cross-cultural research in the future to better understand the impact of child-dog interactions. Our review is important for people in and outside of the scientific community, to pediatricians, veterinarians, and current or future dog owners seeking to extend their knowledge, and to inform future research of scientists studying dogs and human-animal interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire S. E. Giraudet
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Animal Health and Welfare, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kai Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Animal Health Research Centre, Chengdu Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Chengdu, China
| | - Alan G. McElligott
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Animal Health and Welfare, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mia Cobb
- Animal Welfare Science Centre, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Ferguson PL, Commodore S, Neelon B, Cobbs J, Sciscione AC, Grobman WA, Newman RB, Tita AT, Nageotte MP, Palomares K, Skupski DW, Vena JE, Hunt KJ. Early Exposure to Animals and Childhood Body Mass Index Percentile and Percentage Fat Mass. CHILD AND ADOLESCENT OBESITY (ABINGDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 5:3-15. [PMID: 35128342 PMCID: PMC8813042 DOI: 10.1080/2574254x.2021.2021788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A few studies have identified childhood animal exposure as associated with adiposity, but results are inconsistent and differ in timing. METHODS We conducted an observational cohort study of children ages 4-8 in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes [ECHO] study. The main exposure was having a dog in the home and/or regular contact with farm animals during the first year of life. Outcomes of interest were child BMI percentile (adjusted for gender and age) categorized as normal/underweight (<85th percentile), overweight (85th to <95th), and obese (≥95th), and percent fat mass (continuous). Associations were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression and multivariable linear regression, respectively, with and without multiple imputation. RESULTS First year animal exposure occurred in 245 of 770 (31.8%) children. Children with early animal exposure had 0.53 (95% CI: 0.28, 0.997) times the odds of being in the obese BMI category compared to those exposed to animals after controlling for covariates: maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, race/ethnicity, reported child activity level, receiving food assistance, age child began daycare (<1 year vs 1+), exclusively breastfed x6 months, and NICU admission (n=721). Children with early animal exposure had, on average, 1.5% (95% CI: -3.0, -0.1) less fat mass than exposed children after adjustment for maternal BMI, race/ethnicity, activity, food assistance, breastfeeding, and maternal education (n=548). Multiple imputation did not alter either result. CONCLUSION These results provide evidence that exposure to dogs or farm animals in the first year of life is associated with lower odds of obesity and lower percent fat mass in childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela L. Ferguson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Sarah Commodore
- School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
| | - Brian Neelon
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - JacKetta Cobbs
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Anthony C. Sciscione
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, DE
| | - William A. Grobman
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Roger B. Newman
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Alan T. Tita
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Michael P. Nageotte
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Long Beach, CA
| | - Kristy Palomares
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Daniel W. Skupski
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, New York Presbyterian Queens Hospital, Queens, NY
| | - John E. Vena
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Kelly J. Hunt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
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Mueller MK, King EK, Callina K, Dowling-Guyer S, McCobb E. Demographic and contextual factors as moderators of the relationship between pet ownership and health. Health Psychol Behav Med 2021; 9:701-723. [PMID: 34395058 PMCID: PMC8356805 DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2021.1963254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Companion animals are an important feature of the family system, and human-animal interaction is increasingly being recognized as an important social determinant of health. However, there is a need for more nuanced assessment of not only who owns pets, but how pet ownership is related to various health outcomes, and which sociodemographic and contextual factors moderate these associations. DESIGN Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data collected from an online, probability-based panel to generate a nationally representative sample of adults in the United States (n = 1267). Data were analyzed using hierarchical and logistic regression models. RESULTS Results suggested that pet owners are systematically different from non-pet owners on a number of key demographic and contextual characteristics, and these differences vary somewhat when looking at dog owners and cat owners. When controlling for individual and family-level covariates, pet ownership was not associated with overall health status or Body Mass Index, but dog ownership was associated with higher levels of physical activity. Pet ownership was associated with higher odds of having an anxiety disorder with gender moderating this relationship, but this association was not present for dog or cat owners, suggesting this relationship is limited to other types of pets. Higher odds of depression were associated with pet ownership (for both dog and cat owners), with employment status significantly moderating the relationship between dog ownership status and depression. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that pet ownership is a complex and context specific phenomenon. Future research should carefully consider and control for sociodemographic predictors and use measurement and analysis approaches sensitive to the variations in human-animal relationships to fully understand how pets contribute to individual and family health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan K. Mueller
- Department of Clinical Sciences & Center for Animals and Public Policy, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
- Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University
| | - Erin K. King
- Department of Clinical Sciences & Center for Animals and Public Policy, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
- Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University
| | | | - Seana Dowling-Guyer
- Department of Clinical Sciences & Center for Animals and Public Policy, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
| | - Emily McCobb
- Department of Clinical Sciences & Center for Animals and Public Policy, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
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Must A, Mulé CM, Linder DE, Cash SB, Folta SC. Animal-Assisted Intervention: A Promising Approach to Obesity Prevention for Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:646081. [PMID: 34095272 PMCID: PMC8171662 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.646081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Aviva Must
- Department of Public Health & Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Christina M. Mulé
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, United States
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Deborah E. Linder
- Tufts Institute for Human-Animal Interaction, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, United States
| | - Sean B. Cash
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sara C. Folta
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, United States
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Miyake K, Kito K, Kotemori A, Sasaki K, Yamamoto J, Otagiri Y, Nagasawa M, Kuze-Arata S, Mogi K, Kikusui T, Ishihara J. Association between Pet Ownership and Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17103498. [PMID: 32429543 PMCID: PMC7277191 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17103498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a major risk factor for lifestyle-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Several studies have investigated the association between pet ownership and obesity, but the findings have been inconsistent. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis assessed the association between pet ownership and obesity. Using PubMed and Scopus, we overviewed the literature published until December 2019 and selected pertinent data for meta-analysis. Two independent reviewers extracted the data. Pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for obesity were calculated using the random-effects model with inverse-variance weighting. The 21 included articles were cross-sectional studies. Five publications (nine analyses) that reported adjusted RRs for BMI ≥ 25 were included in the meta-analysis. No significant association existed between pet ownership and obesity (pooled RR = 1.038; 95% CI, 0.922–1.167; I2 = 51.8%). After stratification by age group (children vs. adults), no significant association was detected (pooled RR = 0.844; 95% CI, 0.604–1.179; I2 = 64.1% vs. pooled RR = 1.099; 95% CI, 0.997–1.212; I2 = 25.2%). Similarly, no significant association was observed between dog ownership and obesity, indicating no association between pet ownership and obesity. However, no infer causation can be reported because all studies included in this meta-analysis were cross-sectional. Therefore, further prospective studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Miyake
- Department of Food and Life Science, School of Life and Environmental Science, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan; (K.M.); (A.K.); (J.Y.)
| | - Kumiko Kito
- Graduate School of Environmental Health, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan;
| | - Ayaka Kotemori
- Department of Food and Life Science, School of Life and Environmental Science, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan; (K.M.); (A.K.); (J.Y.)
- Center for Human and Animal Symbiosis Science, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan; (M.N.); (S.K.-A.); (K.M.); (T.K.)
| | - Kazuto Sasaki
- Faculty of Nutritional Science, Sagami Women’s University, 2-1-1 Bunkyo, Minami-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-0383, Japan;
| | - Junpei Yamamoto
- Department of Food and Life Science, School of Life and Environmental Science, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan; (K.M.); (A.K.); (J.Y.)
- Center for Human and Animal Symbiosis Science, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan; (M.N.); (S.K.-A.); (K.M.); (T.K.)
| | - Yuko Otagiri
- Center for Science Information Services, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan;
| | - Miho Nagasawa
- Center for Human and Animal Symbiosis Science, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan; (M.N.); (S.K.-A.); (K.M.); (T.K.)
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Sayaka Kuze-Arata
- Center for Human and Animal Symbiosis Science, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan; (M.N.); (S.K.-A.); (K.M.); (T.K.)
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Mogi
- Center for Human and Animal Symbiosis Science, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan; (M.N.); (S.K.-A.); (K.M.); (T.K.)
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Takefumi Kikusui
- Center for Human and Animal Symbiosis Science, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan; (M.N.); (S.K.-A.); (K.M.); (T.K.)
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Junko Ishihara
- Department of Food and Life Science, School of Life and Environmental Science, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan; (K.M.); (A.K.); (J.Y.)
- Center for Human and Animal Symbiosis Science, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan; (M.N.); (S.K.-A.); (K.M.); (T.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-42-769-2669
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Purewal R, Christley R, Kordas K, Joinson C, Meints K, Gee N, Westgarth C. Socio-demographic factors associated with pet ownership amongst adolescents from a UK birth cohort. BMC Vet Res 2019; 15:334. [PMID: 31533719 PMCID: PMC6751746 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2063-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In developed nations, pet ownership is common within families. Both physical and psychological health benefits may result from owning a pet during childhood and adolescence. However, it is difficult to determine whether these benefits are due to pet ownership directly or to factors linked to both pet ownership and health. Previous research found associations between a range of socio-demographic factors and pet ownership in seven-year-old children from a UK cohort. The current study extends this research to adolescence, considering that these factors may be important to consider in future Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) research across childhood. Results The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) collected pet ownership data prospectively via maternal reports from gestation up to age 10 years old and via self-report retrospectively at age 18 for ages 11 (n = 3063) to 18 years old (n = 3098) on cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, birds, fish, tortoise/turtles and horses. The dataset also contains a wide range of potential confounders, including demographic and socio-economic variables. The ownership of all pet types peaked at age 11 (80%) and then decreased during adolescence, with the exclusion of cats which remained constant (around 30%), and dogs which increased through 11–18 years (26–37%). Logistic regression was used to build multivariable models for ownership of each pet type at age 13 years, and the factors identified in these models were compared to previously published data for 7 year-olds in the same cohort. There was some consistency with predictors reported at age 7. Generally sex, birth order, maternal age, maternal education, number of people in the household, house type, and concurrent ownership of other pets were associated with pet ownership at both 7 and 13 years (the direction of association varied according to pet type). Factors that were no longer associated with adolescent pet ownership included child ethnicity, paternal education, and parental social class. Conclusions A number of socio-demographic factors are associated with pet ownership in childhood and adolescence and they differ according to the type of pet, and age of child. These factors are potential confounders that must be considered in future HAI studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Purewal
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, and Institute of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK.
| | - Robert Christley
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, and Institute of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK
| | - Katarzyna Kordas
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, University at Buffalo, 270 Farber Hall, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA.,School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Carol Joinson
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Kerstin Meints
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Sarah Swift Building, Brayford Wharf East, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN5 7AY, UK
| | - Nancy Gee
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York, Fredonia, NY, 14063, USA.,WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Leics, LE14 4RT, UK
| | - Carri Westgarth
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, and Institute of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK
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Sato R, Fujiwara T, Kino S, Nawa N, Kawachi I. Pet Ownership and Children's Emotional Expression: Propensity Score-Matched Analysis of Longitudinal Data from Japan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16050758. [PMID: 30832360 PMCID: PMC6427570 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16050758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
With many children and young adolescents reporting strong emotional bonds with their pets, the impact of pet ownership on child/adolescent health—especially on their emotional development—has garnered increasing scientific interest. We examined the association between pet ownership in toddlerhood (age 3.5 years) and poor emotional expression in later childhood (age 5.5 years) using propensity score matching within a longitudinal cohort dataset from Japan (n = 31,453). A propensity score for pet ownership was calculated by logistic models based on a comprehensive list of each child’s observed characteristics, including sex, household income, parental education, mother’s employment status, residential environment, number of siblings, and living arrangement. Log-binomial regression analyses using matched samples revealed that children who owned pets during the toddler years were 6% less likely to have a poor emotional expression in later childhood (prevalence ratio = 0.94, 95% confidence interval = 0.90–0.99) compared to those without pets. This suggests that owning pets may provide children with opportunities to control their emotions, and lead to a lower prevalence of poor emotional expression. Pet ownership in toddlerhood may contribute to the development of expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikako Sato
- Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan.
| | - Takeo Fujiwara
- Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan.
| | - Shiho Kino
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, MA, USA.
| | - Nobutoshi Nawa
- Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan.
| | - Ichiro Kawachi
- Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan.
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, MA, USA.
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Westgarth C, Boddy LM, Stratton G, German AJ, Gaskell RM, Coyne KP, Bundred P, McCune S, Dawson S. The association between dog ownership or dog walking and fitness or weight status in childhood. Pediatr Obes 2017; 12:e51-e56. [PMID: 27793067 PMCID: PMC5697616 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health benefits of dog walking are established in adults: dog owners are on average more physically active, and those walking their dogs regularly have lower weight status than those who do not. However, there has been little research on children. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to examine the association between dog ownership or dog walking and childhood fitness or weight status. METHODS A survey of pet ownership and involvement in dog walking was combined with fitness and weight status measurements of 1021 9 to 10-year-old children in the Liverpool SportsLinx study. RESULTS We found little evidence to support that children who live with, or walk with, dogs are any fitter or less likely to be obese than those who do not. CONCLUSIONS This is an important finding, as it suggests that the activity that children currently do with dogs is not sufficient enough to impact weight status or fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Westgarth
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK,School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK
| | - L. M. Boddy
- Physical Activity, Exercise and Health Research Group, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise SciencesLiverpool John Moores UniversityLiverpoolUK
| | - G. Stratton
- Sport and Health PortfolioCollege of Engineering Swansea UniversitySwanseaUK
| | - A. J. German
- School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK,Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK
| | - R. M. Gaskell
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK,School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK
| | - K. P. Coyne
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK,School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK
| | - P. Bundred
- Institute of Psychology Health and Society, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolBrownlow HillUK
| | - S. McCune
- WALTHAM Centre for Pet NutritionLeicsUK
| | - S. Dawson
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK,School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK
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Companion Animals and Child/Adolescent Development: A Systematic Review of the Evidence. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017. [PMID: 28264460 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14030234.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Childhood and adolescence are important developmental phases which influence health and well-being across the life span. Social relationships are fundamental to child and adolescent development; yet studies have been limited to children's relationships with other humans. This paper provides an evidence review for the potential associations between pet ownership and emotional; behavioural; cognitive; educational and social developmental outcomes. As the field is in the early stages; a broad set of inclusion criteria was applied. A systematic search of databases and grey literature sources found twenty-two studies meeting selection criteria. The review found evidence for an association between pet ownership and a wide range of emotional health benefits from childhood pet ownership; particularly for self-esteem and loneliness. The findings regarding childhood anxiety and depression were inconclusive. Studies also showed evidence of an association between pet ownership and educational and cognitive benefits; for example, in perspective-taking abilities and intellectual development. Evidence on behavioural development was unclear due to a lack of high quality research. Studies on pet ownership and social development provided evidence for an association with increased social competence; social networks; social interaction and social play behaviour. Overall, pet ownership and the significance of children's bonds with companion animals have been underexplored; there is a shortage of high quality and longitudinal studies in all outcomes. Prospective studies that control for a wide range of confounders are required.
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Purewal R, Christley R, Kordas K, Joinson C, Meints K, Gee N, Westgarth C. Companion Animals and Child/Adolescent Development: A Systematic Review of the Evidence. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:E234. [PMID: 28264460 PMCID: PMC5369070 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14030234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Childhood and adolescence are important developmental phases which influence health and well-being across the life span. Social relationships are fundamental to child and adolescent development; yet studies have been limited to children's relationships with other humans. This paper provides an evidence review for the potential associations between pet ownership and emotional; behavioural; cognitive; educational and social developmental outcomes. As the field is in the early stages; a broad set of inclusion criteria was applied. A systematic search of databases and grey literature sources found twenty-two studies meeting selection criteria. The review found evidence for an association between pet ownership and a wide range of emotional health benefits from childhood pet ownership; particularly for self-esteem and loneliness. The findings regarding childhood anxiety and depression were inconclusive. Studies also showed evidence of an association between pet ownership and educational and cognitive benefits; for example, in perspective-taking abilities and intellectual development. Evidence on behavioural development was unclear due to a lack of high quality research. Studies on pet ownership and social development provided evidence for an association with increased social competence; social networks; social interaction and social play behaviour. Overall, pet ownership and the significance of children's bonds with companion animals have been underexplored; there is a shortage of high quality and longitudinal studies in all outcomes. Prospective studies that control for a wide range of confounders are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Purewal
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, and Institute of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE, UK.
| | - Robert Christley
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, and Institute of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE, UK.
| | - Katarzyna Kordas
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, University at Buffalo, 270 Farber Hall, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK.
| | - Carol Joinson
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK.
| | - Kerstin Meints
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS, UK.
| | - Nancy Gee
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York, Fredonia, NY 14063, USA.
- WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Melton Mowbray, Leics LE14 4RT, UK.
| | - Carri Westgarth
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, and Institute of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE, UK.
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Johnsen K, Ahn SJ, Moore J, Brown S, Robertson TP, Marable A, Basu A. Mixed reality virtual pets to reduce childhood obesity. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON VISUALIZATION AND COMPUTER GRAPHICS 2014; 20:523-530. [PMID: 24650979 DOI: 10.1109/tvcg.2014.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Novel approaches are needed to reduce the high rates of childhood obesity in the developed world. While multifactorial in cause, a major factor is an increasingly sedentary lifestyle of children. Our research shows that a mixed reality system that is of interest to children can be a powerful motivator of healthy activity. We designed and constructed a mixed reality system that allowed children to exercise, play with, and train a virtual pet using their own physical activity as input. The health, happiness, and intelligence of each virtual pet grew as its associated child owner exercised more, reached goals, and interacted with their pet. We report results of a research study involving 61 children from a local summer camp that shows a large increase in recorded and observed activity, alongside observational evidence that the virtual pet was responsible for that change. These results, and the ease at which the system integrated into the camp environment, demonstrate the practical potential to impact the exercise behaviors of children with mixed reality.
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Westgarth C, Boddy LM, Stratton G, German AJ, Gaskell RM, Coyne KP, Bundred P, McCune S, Dawson S. A cross-sectional study of frequency and factors associated with dog walking in 9-10 year old children in Liverpool, UK. BMC Public Health 2013; 13:822. [PMID: 24015895 PMCID: PMC4015861 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 09/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Owning a pet dog could potentially improve child health through encouraging participation in physical activity, through dog walking. However, evidence to support this is limited and conflicting. In particular, little is known about children’s participation in dog walking and factors that may be associated with this. The objective of this study was to describe the participation of children in dog walking, including their own and those belonging to somebody else, and investigate factors associated with regular walking with their own pet dog. Methods Primary school children (n=1021, 9–10 years) from a deprived area of Liverpool were surveyed during a ‘fitness fun day’ as part of the SportsLinx project. The ‘Child Lifestyle and Pets’ survey included questions about pet ownership, pet attachment, and dog walking. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate factors associated with walking any dog, or their own dog, several times a day or more, including level of attachment to the dog, dog type, and sociodemographic factors. Results Overall, 15.4% of children reported walking with any dog (their own or belonging to a friend or family member) ≥ once daily, 14.1% several times a week, 27.6% ≤ once a week, and 42.8% never. Dog owning children (37.1% of the population) more often reported dog walking ‘several times a week or more’ (OR=12.30, 95% CI=8.10-18.69, P<0.001) compared to those without a dog, but were less likely to report other walking without a dog. The majority (59.3%) of dog owning children indicated that they usually walked their dog, with 34.6% reporting that they walked their dog ≥ once daily. Attachment score was highly associated with the child reporting walking their dog (lower score=higher attachment; OR=0.93, 95% CI=0.89-0.96, P<0.001). There was no evidence that gender, ethnicity, sibling status or deprivation score was associated with dog walking. Children that reported owning Pit Bulls were more likely to report friends walking with their dog than those owning non-Pit bull types (OR=10.01, 95% CI=1.52-65.76, P=0.02, respectively). Conclusions Promotion of supervised walking of suitable pet dogs may be an opportunity for increasing physical activity in 9–10 year old children. The identification of stronger attachment to dogs regularly walked is similar to findings in adult studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carri Westgarth
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE, UK.
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Westgarth C, Liu J, Heron J, Ness AR, Bundred P, Gaskell RM, German AJ, McCune S, Dawson S. Dog ownership during pregnancy, maternal activity, and obesity: a cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31315. [PMID: 22355356 PMCID: PMC3280272 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2011] [Accepted: 01/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) is an observational study of 14273 UK pregnant singleton mothers in 1990/1991. We examined outcomes of self report of strenuous activity (hours per week) at 18 and 32 weeks of gestation, hours spent in leisure-time physical activities and types, and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI); overweight status was defined as pre-pregnancy BMI≥25 and obesity BMI≥30. Pet ownership and activity data were reported for 11,466 mothers. Twenty-five percent of mothers owned at least one dog. There was a positive relationship between participation in activity at least once a week and dog ownership (at 18 weeks, Odds ratio 1.27, 95% confidence interval 1.11–1.44, P<0.001). Dog owners were 50% more likely to achieve the recommended 3 hours activity per week, equivalent to 30 minutes per day, most days of the week (1.53, 1.35–1.72, P<0.001). Dog owners were also more likely to participate in brisk walking activity than those who did not have a dog (compared to no brisk walking 2–6 hrs per week 1.43, 1.23 to 1.67, P<0.001; 7+ hrs per week 1.80, 1.43 to 2.27, P<0.001). However, no association was found with any other types of activities and there was no association between dog ownership and weight status. During the time period studied, pregnant women who had dogs were more active, through walking, than those who did not own dogs. As walking is a low-risk exercise, participation of pregnant women in dog walking activities may be a useful context to investigate as part of a broader strategy to improve activity levels in pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carri Westgarth
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Neston, Cheshire, United Kingdom.
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