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Wypych-Ślusarska A, Krupa-Kotara K, Oleksiuk K, Głogowska-Ligus J, Słowiński J. Respiratory Status in Children and Exposure to Animal Allergens-The Problem of Reverse Causality in Cross-Sectional Studies. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:941. [PMID: 39201876 PMCID: PMC11353102 DOI: 10.3390/children11080941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some epidemiological studies suggest that early exposure to animal allergens during infancy reduces the risk of bronchial asthma in school-age children. However, the observed associations in some cases may be an effect of the study used (epidemiological observational studies, especially a cross-sectional study) and indicate reverse causality. AIM This study aimed to determine the association between exposure to animal allergens and the prevalence of respiratory diseases, including bronchial asthma, considering the potential impact of reverse causality on the observed relationships. MATERIAL AND METHODS An analysis of data from a cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted in 2020 involving 3237 primary school students aged 7-15 years in the Silesian Province (Southern Poland) was carried out. The parents of students completed a questionnaire based on The International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). The relationship between the occurrence of chronic cough, wheezing, and dyspnea in the last 12 months, night waking due to dyspnea, and asthma in the presence of pets was assessed. Exposure to animal allergens was determined by answering the question, "Are there any furry or feathered animals in the home?" with three response options: "yes; they have been in the past; no" (Scenario 1). For the analyses and to reveal a potential reverse causality effect, the last two response categories regarding pet ownership were combined to form a "no" category in Scenario 2, and the first two answers were combined into a "yes" category in Scenario 3. A chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between variables, and a statistical significance level of p < 0.05 was adopted. RESULTS Chronic cough affected 9.5% of children, wheezing in the last 12 months-9.2%, night waking due to dyspnea-5.8%, dyspnea in the last 12 months-4.8%, bronchial asthma-9.2%. Analysis considering the category of having or not having pets (yes vs. no) showed that bronchial asthma was statistically significantly more common in children who did not have pets at home (10.9% vs. 7.9%, p = 0.002). A similar situation was observed for wheezing in the past 12 months (10.7% vs. 8.1%; p = 0.01) and nocturnal awakening due to dyspnea (6.8% vs. 5.1%, p = 0.03). No statistically significant differences were observed for the other symptoms. Analysis by time of pet ownership (a. present; b. present but in the past; c. not present) highlighted similar relationships. Asthma (a. 7.7% vs. b. 13.4% vs. c. 7.7%; p = 0.004), wheezing in the past 12 months (a. 8.1% vs. b. 8.9% vs. c. 10.9%, p = 0.03) and night waking (a. 5.0% vs. b. 4.5% vs. c. 7.1%; p = 0.04) were more common in children without pets and those who had owned pets in the past. The highest proportion of children with asthma was in homes where pets were present in the past. CONCLUSIONS Analyses indicating a relationship between a higher prevalence of asthma and some respiratory symptoms, and the absence of pets cannot be considered as a casual association. The analysis conducted did not reveal a reverse causality effect. The results of observational epidemiological studies, especially a cross-sectional study, should always be interpreted with caution, considering possible distortions and conclusions drawn.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karolina Krupa-Kotara
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland; (A.W.-Ś.); (K.O.); (J.G.-L.); (J.S.)
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Adams EK, Murray K, Trost SG, Christian H. Longitudinal effects of dog ownership, dog acquisition, and dog loss on children's movement behaviours: findings from the PLAYCE cohort study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2024; 21:7. [PMID: 38287372 PMCID: PMC10826268 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-023-01544-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Regular physical activity is important for children's physical and mental health, yet many children do not achieve recommended amounts of physical activity. Dog ownership has been associated with increased physical activity in children, however, there have been no longitudinal studies examining this relationship. This study used data from the Play Spaces and Environments for Children's Physical Activity (PLAYCE) cohort study to examine the longitudinal effects of dog ownership status on children's movement behaviours. METHODS Change in dog ownership from preschool (wave 1, age 2-5) to fulltime school (wave 2, age 5-7) was used as a natural experiment with four distinct dog ownership groups: continuing non-dog owners (n = 307), continuing dog owners (n = 204), dog acquired (n = 58), and dog loss (n = 31; total n = 600). Daily movement behaviours, including physical activity, sedentary time, sleep, and screen time, were measured using accelerometry and parent-report surveys. Differences between groups over time and by sex were tested using linear mixed effects regression models. RESULTS Girls who acquired a dog increased their light intensity activities and games by 52.0 min/day (95%CI 7.9, 96.0) and girls who lost a dog decreased their light intensity activities and games by 62.1 min/day (95%CI -119.3, -4.9) compared to no change among non-dog owners. Girls and boys who acquired a dog increased their unstructured physical activity by 6.8 (95%CI 3.2, 10.3) and 7.1 (95%CI 3.9, 10.3) occasions/week, compared to no changes among non-dog owners. Girls and boys who lost a dog reduced their unstructured physical activity by 10.2 (95%CI -15.0, -5.3) and 7.7 (95%CI -12.0, -3.5) occasions/week. Girls who lost a dog decreased their total physical activity by 46.3 min/day (95%CI -107.5, 14.8) compared to no change among non-dog owners. Continuing dog ownership was typically not associated with movement behaviours. Dog ownership group was not associated with changes in sleep and had mixed associations with screen time. CONCLUSION The positive influence of dog ownership on children's physical activity begins in early childhood and differs by child sex. Further research should examine the specific contributions dog-facilitated physical activity makes to children's overall physical activity, including the intensity and duration of dog walking and play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma K Adams
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.
| | - Kevin Murray
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Stewart G Trost
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Hayley Christian
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
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Amine I, Guillien A, Philippat C, Anguita-Ruiz A, Casas M, de Castro M, Dedele A, Garcia-Aymerich J, Granum B, Grazuleviciene R, Heude B, Haug LS, Julvez J, López-Vicente M, Maitre L, McEachan R, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Stratakis N, Vafeiadi M, Wright J, Yang T, Yuan WL, Basagaña X, Slama R, Vrijheid M, Siroux V. Environmental exposures in early-life and general health in childhood. Environ Health 2023; 22:53. [PMID: 37480033 PMCID: PMC10360263 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-01001-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early-life environmental exposures are suspected to be involved in the development of chronic diseases later in life. Most studies conducted so far considered single or few exposures and single-health parameter. Our study aimed to identify a childhood general health score and assess its association with a wide range of pre- and post-natal environmental exposures. METHODS The analysis is based on 870 children (6-12 years) from six European birth cohorts participating in the Human Early-Life Exposome project. A total of 53 prenatal and 105 childhood environmental factors were considered, including lifestyle, social, urban and chemical exposures. We built a general health score by averaging three sub-scores (cardiometabolic, respiratory/allergy and mental) built from 15 health parameters. By construct, a child with a low score has a low general health status. Penalized multivariable regression through Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) was fitted in order to identify exposures associated with the general health score. FINDINGS The results of LASSO show that a lower general health score was associated with maternal passive and active smoking during pregnancy and postnatal exposure to methylparaben, copper, indoor air pollutants, high intake of caffeinated drinks and few contacts with friends and family. Higher child's general health score was associated with prenatal exposure to a bluespace near residency and postnatal exposures to pets, cobalt, high intakes of vegetables and more physical activity. Against our hypotheses, postnatal exposure to organochlorine compounds and perfluorooctanoate were associated with a higher child's general health score. CONCLUSION By using a general health score summarizing the child cardiometabolic, respiratory/allergy and mental health, this study reinforced previously suspected environmental factors associated with various child health parameters (e.g. tobacco, air pollutants) and identified new factors (e.g. pets, bluespace) warranting further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Amine
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France.
| | - Alicia Guillien
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Claire Philippat
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Augusto Anguita-Ruiz
- Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), ISGlobal-Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona Campus MAR, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBEROBN, (Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition CB12/03/30038), Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maribel Casas
- Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), ISGlobal-Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona Campus MAR, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08002, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research On Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Montserrat de Castro
- Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), ISGlobal-Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona Campus MAR, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08002, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research On Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Av. Catalunya 21, 46020, Valencia, Spain
| | - Audrius Dedele
- Department of Environmental Science, Vytautas Magnus University, 44248, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Judith Garcia-Aymerich
- Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), ISGlobal-Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona Campus MAR, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08002, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research On Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Berit Granum
- Division for Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Regina Grazuleviciene
- Department of Environmental Science, Vytautas Magnus University, 44248, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Barbara Heude
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, INRAE, Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), 75004, Paris, France
| | - Line Småstuen Haug
- Division for Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jordi Julvez
- Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), ISGlobal-Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona Campus MAR, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Clinical and Epidemiological Neuroscience (NeuroÈpia), Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), 43204, Reus, Spain
| | - Mónica López-Vicente
- Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), ISGlobal-Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona Campus MAR, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Léa Maitre
- Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), ISGlobal-Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona Campus MAR, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08002, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research On Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosemary McEachan
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK
| | - Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), ISGlobal-Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona Campus MAR, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08002, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research On Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nikos Stratakis
- Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), ISGlobal-Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona Campus MAR, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Vafeiadi
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - John Wright
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK
| | - Tiffany Yang
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK
| | - Wen Lun Yuan
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, INRAE, Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), 75004, Paris, France
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Science, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xavier Basagaña
- Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), ISGlobal-Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona Campus MAR, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08002, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research On Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rémy Slama
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), ISGlobal-Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona Campus MAR, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08002, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research On Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Valérie Siroux
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
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Kiesewetter J, Herbach N, Landes I, Mayer J, Elgner V, Orle K, Grunow A, Langkau R, Gratzer C, Jansson AF. Dog assisted education in children with rheumatic diseases and adolescents with chronic pain in Germany. GMS JOURNAL FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION 2023; 40:Doc44. [PMID: 37560047 PMCID: PMC10407579 DOI: 10.3205/zma001626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Animal assisted intervention is an increasingly accepted tool to improve human well-being. The present study was performed to assess whether dog assisted education has a positive effect on children suffering from rheumatic disorders with pain and adolescents with chronic pain syndrome. Design Two groups of juvenile patients were recruited: 7-17-year-old children in children with rheumatic diseases and adolescents with chronic pain syndromes. Overall, n=26 participated in the intervention, and n=29 in the control group. Setting The intervention group met once a month, 12 times overall, for working with man trailing dogs in various locations. Main outcome measures The influence of dog assisted education on quality of life (PedsQLTM Scoring Algorithm), pain intensity, perception, coping (Paediatric Pain Coping Inventory-Revised), and state anxiety (State Trait Anxiety Inventory) was assessed. Results The quality of life increased significantly in the investigated period, but for both, the intervention and the control group. The state anxiety of children was lower after the dog assisted education than before. After the dog training sessions, state anxiety was 18% to 30% lower than before the intervention. Some participants noted subjectively improved pain coping and changes in pain perception, which were not found in the data. Conclusion Our results indicate that for children with rheumatic diseases and adolescents with chronic pain syndromes dog assisted education (1) might lead to an increase of the quality of life, (2) leads to decreased state anxiety from pre to post intervention and (3) does not influence pain perception, frequency and intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kiesewetter
- Klinikum der LMU München, Institute for Medical Education, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Verena Elgner
- eo ipso Strategie & Entwicklung GmbH, Krailling, Germany
| | - Karin Orle
- eo ipso Strategie & Entwicklung GmbH, Krailling, Germany
| | | | | | - Christine Gratzer
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Munich, Germany
| | - Annette F. Jansson
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Munich, Germany
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Żebrowska M, Strohmaier S, Westgarth C, Huttenhower C, Erber AC, Haghayegh S, Eliassen AH, Huang T, Laden F, Hart JE, Rosner B, Kawachi I, Chavarro JE, Okereke OI, Schernhammer ES. Relationship between pet ownership and risk of high depressive symptoms in adolescence and young adulthood. J Affect Disord 2023; 323:554-561. [PMID: 36464093 PMCID: PMC9839520 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.11.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Only few longitudinal studies with high risk of bias have examined relationship between pets and adolescents' mental health. METHODS Our prospective cohort study followed depression-free US adolescents aged 12-18, enrolled in the Growing Up Today Study from pet ownership assessment in 1999 to possible occurrence of high depressive symptoms defined based on the McKnight Risk Factor Survey between 2001 and 2003. Propensity-score-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using generalized estimating equation models. RESULTS Among 9631 adolescents [42.4 % male, mean age 14.9 years (SD 1.6)], we found no association between pet ownership and risk of high depressive symptoms (ORany_pet = 1.14; 95%CI, 0.95-1.38). Stratified analyses revealed no evidence of effect modification by sex, but effect modification by maternal history of depression (depressed mothers ORany_pet = 0.83; 95 % CI: 0.58-1.19, non-depressed mothers ORany_pet = 1.27; 95 % CI: 1.02-1.58; Pintx = 0.03), which differed further by children's sex. Effects were more pronounced among children with a history of childhood abuse (ORany_pet = 0.41 (0.14-1.15); Pintx ≤0.03). No major differences by type of pet owned were observed in any of these analyses. LIMITATIONS Our sample is predominantly white and all are offspring of nurses with a similar academic background which could affect generalizability. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we found no association between pet ownership and depression during adolescence, however subgroup analyses indicated some individuals may benefit from a pet. Future longitudinal studies with more detailed exposure assessments, including pet attachment are needed to further explore the potential of human-animal interaction on mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Żebrowska
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susanne Strohmaier
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Carri Westgarth
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Curtis Huttenhower
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Astrid C Erber
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Shahab Haghayegh
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A Heather Eliassen
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tianyi Huang
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francine Laden
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jaime E Hart
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bernard Rosner
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ichiro Kawachi
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jorge E Chavarro
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Olivia I Okereke
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eva S Schernhammer
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
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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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Gadomski A, Scribani MB, Tallman N, Krupa N, Jenkins P, Wissow LS. Impact of pet dog or cat exposure during childhood on mental illness during adolescence: a cohort study. BMC Pediatr 2022; 22:572. [PMID: 36199055 PMCID: PMC9532803 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-022-03636-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In our prior study of 643 children, ages 4-11 years, children with pet dogs had lower anxiety scores than children without pet dogs. This follow-up study examines whether exposure to pet dogs or cats during childhood reduces the risk of adolescent mental health (MH) disorders. METHODS Using a retrospective cohort study design, we merged our prior study database with electronic medical record (EMR) data to create an analytic database. Common MH diagnoses (anxiety, depression, ADHD) occurring from the time of prior study enrollment to 10/27/21 were identified using ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes. We used proportional hazards regression to compare time to MH diagnoses, between youths with and without pets. From 4/1/20 to 10/27/21, parents and youth in the prior study were interviewed about the amount of time the youth was exposed to a pet and how attached s/he was to the pet. Exposure included having a pet dog at baseline, cumulative exposure to a pet dog or cat during follow-up, and level of pet attachment. The main outcomes were anxiety diagnosis, any MH diagnosis, and MH diagnosis associated with a psychotropic prescription. RESULTS EMR review identified 571 youths with mean age of 14 years (range 11-19), 53% were male, 58% had a pet dog at baseline. During follow-up (mean of 7.8 years), 191 children received a MH diagnosis: 99 were diagnosed with anxiety (52%), 61 with ADHD (32%), 21 with depression (11%), 10 with combined MH diagnoses (5%). After adjusting for significant confounders, having a pet dog at baseline was associated with lower risk of any MH diagnosis (HR = 0.74, p = .04) but not for anxiety or MH diagnosis with a psychotropic prescription. Among the 241 (42%) youths contacted for follow-up, parent-reported cumulative exposure to pet dogs was borderline negatively associated with occurrence of any MH diagnosis (HR = 0.74, p = .06). Cumulative exposure to the most attached pet (dog or cat) was negatively associated with anxiety diagnosis (HR = 0.57, p = .006) and any MH diagnosis (HR = 0.64, p = .013). CONCLUSION Cumulative exposure to a highly attached pet dog or cat is associated with reduced risk of adolescent MH disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Gadomski
- Research Institute , Bassett Medical Center , Cooperstown, NY, USA.
| | - Melissa B Scribani
- Data Analyst, Center for Biostatistics, Bassett Research Institute, Cooperstown, NY, USA
| | - Nancy Tallman
- Bassett Research Institute, Bassett Medical Center , Cooperstown, United States
| | - Nicole Krupa
- Data Manager, Center for Biostatistics, Bassett Research Institute, Cooperstown, NY, USA
| | - Paul Jenkins
- Center for Biostatistics, Bassett Research Institute, Cooperstown, NY, USA
| | - Lawrence S Wissow
- Vice Chair for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Division Chief, Child Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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8
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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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Pet Ownership and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Vet Sci 2021; 8:vetsci8120332. [PMID: 34941859 PMCID: PMC8705563 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8120332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pet ownership is the most common form of human–animal interaction, and anecdotally, pet ownership can lead to improved physical and mental health for owners. However, scant research is available validating these claims. This study aimed to review the recent peer reviewed literature to better describe the body of knowledge surrounding the relationship between pet ownership and mental health. A literature search was conducted in May 2020 using two databases to identify articles that met inclusion/exclusion criteria. After title review, abstract review, and then full article review, 54 articles were included in the final analysis. Of the 54 studies, 18 were conducted in the general population, 15 were conducted in an older adult population, eight were conducted in children and adolescents, nine focused on people with chronic disease, and four examined a specific unique population. Forty-one of the studies were cross-sectional, 11 were prospective longitudinal cohorts, and two were other study designs. For each of the articles, the impact of pet ownership on the mental health of owners was divided into four categories: positive impact (n = 17), mixed impact (n = 19), no impact (n = 13), and negative impact (n = 5). Among the reviewed articles, there was much variation in population studied and study design, and these differences make direct comparison challenging. However, when focusing on the impact of pet ownership on mental health, the results were variable and not wholly supportive of the benefit of pets on mental health. Future research should use more consistent methods across broader populations and the development of a pet-ownership survey module for use in broad, population surveys would afford a better description of the true relationship of pet ownership and mental health.
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Minatoya M, Ikeda-Araki A, Miyashita C, Itoh S, Kobayashi S, Yamazaki K, Ait Bamai Y, Saijo Y, Sato Y, Ito Y, Kishi R. Association between Early Life Child Development and Family Dog Ownership: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study of the Japan Environment and Children's Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18137082. [PMID: 34281019 PMCID: PMC8295854 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18137082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pets may play a role in the social-emotional development of children. In particular, some studies have suggested that family dog ownership is associated with better health outcomes. To date, no study has assessed child development in association with dog ownership of different time points. The purpose of the current study was primary to investigate whether “ever” family dog ownership was associated with early child development, and secondary to further examine whether associations between family dog ownership and early child development differ among family dog ownership of status, including “past only”, “current only”, and “always” groups, using the data of family dog ownership obtained at multiple time points. Associations between family dog ownership and infant development at 3 years of age were examined using data from a nationwide prospective birth cohort study, the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (n = 78,941). “Ever” family dog ownership was categorized to “past only”, “current only”, and “always”. We observed that children with “ever” family dog ownership showed a significantly decreased risk of developmental delay in the communication (odds ratio [OR] = 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.78, 0.96), gross motor (OR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.76, 0.92), problem-solving (OR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.83, 0.96) and personal-social (OR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.92) domains compared to children with “never” family dog ownership. Furthermore, a significantly decreased risk of developmental delay in gross motor function was observed in association with living with dogs in the “past only” (OR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.95) and “always” (OR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75, 0.98). In addition, a decreased risk of developmental delay in the problem-solving domain was associated with “past” family dog ownership (OR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.79, 0.97) and in the personal-social domain was associated with “always” family dog ownership (OR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.68, 0.95). Given the possible positive association between early life child development and family dog ownership, living with dogs may be an important factor to be considered when assessing child development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Machiko Minatoya
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (M.M.); (A.I.-A.); (C.M.); (S.I.); (S.K.); (K.Y.); (Y.A.B.)
| | - Atsuko Ikeda-Araki
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (M.M.); (A.I.-A.); (C.M.); (S.I.); (S.K.); (K.Y.); (Y.A.B.)
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Chihiro Miyashita
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (M.M.); (A.I.-A.); (C.M.); (S.I.); (S.K.); (K.Y.); (Y.A.B.)
| | - Sachiko Itoh
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (M.M.); (A.I.-A.); (C.M.); (S.I.); (S.K.); (K.Y.); (Y.A.B.)
| | - Sumitaka Kobayashi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (M.M.); (A.I.-A.); (C.M.); (S.I.); (S.K.); (K.Y.); (Y.A.B.)
| | - Keiko Yamazaki
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (M.M.); (A.I.-A.); (C.M.); (S.I.); (S.K.); (K.Y.); (Y.A.B.)
| | - Yu Ait Bamai
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (M.M.); (A.I.-A.); (C.M.); (S.I.); (S.K.); (K.Y.); (Y.A.B.)
| | - Yasuaki Saijo
- Department of Social Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (Y.S.); (Y.S.)
| | - Yukihiro Sato
- Department of Social Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (Y.S.); (Y.S.)
| | - Yoshiya Ito
- Faculty of Nursing, Japanese Red Cross Hokkaido College of Nursing, Kitami 090-0011, Japan;
| | - Reiko Kishi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (M.M.); (A.I.-A.); (C.M.); (S.I.); (S.K.); (K.Y.); (Y.A.B.)
- Correspondence:
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11
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Carlisle GK, Johnson RA, Wang Z, Bibbo J, Cheak-Zamora N, Lyons LA. Exploratory Study of Cat Adoption in Families of Children with Autism: Impact on Children's Social Skills and Anxiety. J Pediatr Nurs 2021; 58:28-35. [PMID: 33290937 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2020.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) occurs in one in 54 children and companion animals (CA) are common in families of children with ASD. Despite evidence of CA ownership benefits for children with ASD, little is known about cats. The purpose was to explore the impact of shelter cat adoption by families of children with ASD. DESIGN AND METHODS This was the first randomized controlled trial of adoption of a temperament screened cat by families of children with ASD. Families assigned to the treatment group adopted a cat and were followed for 18 weeks. Families assigned to the control group were followed for 18 weeks without intervention, then converted to treatment, by adopting a cat and were followed another 18 weeks. Adopted cats were screened using the Feline Temperament Profile to identify a calm temperament. Surveys measured children's social skills and anxiety and parent/child cat bonding. RESULTS Our study (N = 11) found cat adoption was associated with greater Empathy and less Separation Anxiety for children with ASD, along with fewer problem behaviors including Externalizing, Bullying and Hyperactivity/Inattention. Parents and children reported strong bonds to the cats. CONCLUSION This exploratory study found introduction of a cat into the home may have a positive impact on children with ASD and their parents. Based on this intial finding, future studies with larger sample sizes are recommended. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS If parents of children with ASD are considering cat adoption, health care providers might consider recommending adoption of a cat screened for calm temperament.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gretchen K Carlisle
- Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, MO, USA.
| | - Rebecca A Johnson
- Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, MO, USA
| | - Ze Wang
- Educational, School and Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri, MO, USA
| | - Jessica Bibbo
- Center for Research and Education, Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, OH, USA
| | | | - Leslie A Lyons
- Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, MO, USA
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12
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Coci M, Saunders J, Christian H. Barriers and motivators for preschoolers playing and walking with their dog: Results from qualitative research. Health Promot J Austr 2021; 33:19-27. [PMID: 33749951 DOI: 10.1002/hpja.483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
ISSUES ADDRESSED A large proportion of preschoolers do not meet the recommended three hours of daily physical activity. A potential source of daily physical activity could be that provided via the family dog. This qualitative study aimed to explore the barriers and motivators to preschoolers playing with their dog and participating in family dog walks. METHODS Twelve in-depth interviews were conducted with parents of preschoolers who owned a dog. A semistructured interview guide was used, and transcripts were analysed thematically. RESULTS Factors influencing preschoolers playing with their dog and participating in family dog walks included parents' level of attachment to their dog, parental history of dog ownership, parent modelling of safe dog play, type of play the family dog enjoys and proximity to dog- and child-friendly destinations. Other factors such as the size, level of socialisation and perceived exercise requirements of the dog, physical environment factors such as backyard size and individual factors such as time and existing commitments were also reported. CONCLUSIONS A number of dog, individual and physical environment specific factors should be considered when promoting preschooler physical activity through dog walking and play. SO WHAT?: A large proportion of preschoolers do not meet the recommended three hours of daily physical activity. In Australia, 43% of Australian households with children aged four to five own a dog. Dog-facilitated physical activity through family dog walks and active play could be an effective strategy for increasing preschooler physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Coci
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Julie Saunders
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Hayley Christian
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
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13
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Association between pet ownership and physical activity levels, atopic conditions, and mental health in Singapore: a propensity score-matched analysis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19898. [PMID: 33199739 PMCID: PMC7670461 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76739-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Although existing literature increasingly suggests a positive influence of pet ownership on human physical activity levels, results from many European, American, and Japanese studies have been inconsistent. How pet ownership impacts mental health and atopy is likewise controversial and whether distinct demographic subgroups experience differential effects is unclear. This cross-sectional study surveyed participants (n = 823) via a self-administered online questionnaire. Comparisons of outcomes between pet owners and non-pet owners with subgroup analyses were performed within a propensity score-matched subset (n = 566) of respondents. There were no differences in physical activity levels or mental health scores between pet owners and non-pet owners. In subgroup analyses, compared to non-pet owners, main pet caregivers reported 14.1 (95% CI 2.79–25.3) and 19.0 (95% CI 4.70–33.3) more minutes per week of moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity respectively and higher SF-36 emotional well-being (β = 2.7, 95% CI 0.100–5.32) and energy scores (β = 3.8, 95% CI 0.410–7.27). Age was a significant effect modifier of the association between pet ownership and emotional well-being, energy and social functioning scores, with greater scores above the ages of 39, 35 and 39 years old respectively (interaction p = 0.043, 0.044, 0.042). Finally, pet acquisition was associated with worsening of allergic rhinitis, while pet ownership cessation was associated with improvement of allergic rhinitis and eczema symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first study addressing the public health impact of pet ownership in Southeast Asia and its findings add contextual nuance to suggest potential benefits derived from pet ownership.
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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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Xu SL, Liu AP, Wu QZ, Marks T, He ZZ, Qian Z, McMillin SE, Sun J, Appleton AA, Bloom MS, Lin S, Yu HY, Zhou Y, Liu RQ, Feng D, Hu LW, Yang BY, Zeng XW, Sun X, Dong GH. Pet ownership in utero and in childhood decreases the effects of environmental tobacco smoke exposure on hypertension in children: A large population based cohort study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 715:136859. [PMID: 32014767 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about whether exposure to pets influences the association between hypertension and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). The current study aims to examine the interaction of pet ownership on ETS exposure and the development of hypertension in children. METHODS From 2012 to 2013, a total of 9354 children, 5 to 17 years of age, were recruited from 62 schools in seven northeastern cities. BP in children was measured and hypertension was defined as an average diastolic blood pressure (DBP) or systolic blood pressure (SBP) at or above the 95th percentile for that child's age, sex, and height. Pet ownership in three different time periods (in utero, past 2 years, and currently) and ETS exposure data were collected from parents via a questionnaire. Two-level regressions were used for the data analyses. RESULTS The data show consistent, significant interactions between exposure to pets and effects from ETS. Children who were not exposed to pets experienced stronger effects from ETS on hypertension when compared to those exposed to pets, and the protective effect of pet ownership became stronger with a greater number of pets in the home. Exposure to in utero ETS was associated with hypertension [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-1.54] only for those children without pet exposure in utero but not for those with pets (aOR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.49-1.15) (pinteraction < 0.05). Moreover, household dog ownership was related to significantly lower effects of current ETS on hypertension (aOR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.61-1.05) compared with children without dogs (aOR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.11-1.44) (pinteraction = 0.001). Interaction associations between ETS and pet ownership were more robust for girls than for boys and for younger than older children. CONCLUSION This study indicates an inverse relationship between pet ownership and ETS, potentially pointing to pet ownership as protecting against the development of hypertension in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Li Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ai-Ping Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shiyan Prevention and Health Care Center of Baoan, Shenzhen 518101, China
| | - Qi-Zhen Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Tia Marks
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - Zhi-Zhou He
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zhengmin Qian
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Stephen Edward McMillin
- School of Social Work, College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Jia Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Allison A Appleton
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - Michael S Bloom
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - Shao Lin
- School of Social Work, College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - Hong-Yao Yu
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ru-Qing Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Dan Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Li-Wen Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Bo-Yi Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiao Sun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Shenyang Women's and Children's Hospital, Shenyang 110011, China.
| | - Guang-Hui Dong
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
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16
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Yolken R, Stallings C, Origoni A, Katsafanas E, Sweeney K, Squire A, Dickerson F. Exposure to household pet cats and dogs in childhood and risk of subsequent diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225320. [PMID: 31790431 PMCID: PMC6886852 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Serious psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have been associated with environmental exposures in early life. Contact with household pets such as cats and dogs can serve as a source of environmental exposure during these time periods. Methods We investigated the relationship between exposure to a household pet cat or dog during the first 12 years of life and having a subsequent diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These studies were performed in a cohort of 396 individuals with schizophrenia, 381 with bipolar disorder, and 594 controls. The hazards of developing schizophrenia or bipolar disorder associated with first exposure to a household pet cat or dog were calculated using Cox Proportional Hazard and multivariate logistic regression models including socio-demographic covariates. Results We found that exposure to a household pet dog was associated with a significantly decreased hazard of having a subsequent diagnosis of schizophrenia (Hazard Ratio .75, p < .002) Furthermore, a significant decreased relative risk of schizophrenia was detected following exposure at birth and during the first years of life. There was no significant relationship between household exposure to a pet dog and bipolar disorder. There were no significant associations between exposure to a household pet cat and subsequent risk of either a schizophrenia or bipolar disorder diagnosis. However, there were trends towards an increased risk of both disorders at defined periods of exposure. Conclusions Exposure to household pets during infancy and childhood may be associated with altered rates of development of psychiatric disorders in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Yolken
- Stanley Division of Developmental Neurovirology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Cassie Stallings
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Andrea Origoni
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Emily Katsafanas
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kevin Sweeney
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Amalia Squire
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Faith Dickerson
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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17
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Hawkins RD, McDonald SE, O'Connor K, Matijczak A, Ascione FR, Williams JH. Exposure to intimate partner violence and internalizing symptoms: The moderating effects of positive relationships with pets and animal cruelty exposure. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2019; 98:104166. [PMID: 31521906 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is estimated that more than half of children living in households where intimate partner violence (IPV) occurs are also exposed to animal cruelty (AC). Although prior research links bonds with pets with higher levels of socioemotional competence among school-age children, exposure to AC may negate the protective effects of pet ownership and/or exacerbate the potentially deleterious effect of IPV on children's mental health. OBJECTIVE The current study evaluates whether and to what extent the associations between exposure to IPV and several indicators of children's mental health vary as a function of children's positive engagement with pets and exposure to AC. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Participants included 204 children (aged 7-12 years; 47% female; 57% Latinx) and their maternal caregiver who were recruited from domestic violence agencies in a western U.S. state. METHOD Multiple moderation analysis evaluated whether the association between children's exposure to IPV and internalizing and posttraumatic stress symptoms vary as a function of children's positive engagement with pets and exposure to AC. RESULTS Analyses revealed several moderation effects for positive engagement with pets (e.g., internalizing problems: [b = -.15, t(195) = -2.66, p = .008]; posttraumatic stress symptoms: [b = -.13, t(195) = -2.24, p = .026]), whereas exposure to AC only moderated the association between IPV and anxious/depressed symptoms (b = .32, t(195) = -2.41, p = .017). CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the potential protective effects of positive engagement with pets and importance of screening for exposure to AC when engaging in trauma-informed work with children exposed to IPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne D Hawkins
- Division of Psychology, University of West Scotland, Paisley, Scotland, UK.
| | - Shelby Elaine McDonald
- School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1000 Floyd Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA.
| | - Kelly O'Connor
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 West Franklin Street, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Angela Matijczak
- School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1000 Floyd Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA.
| | - Frank R Ascione
- Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, 2148 S. High Street, Denver, CO, 80208, USA.
| | - James Herbert Williams
- School of Social Work, Arizona State University, 411N. Central Ave, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA.
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18
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Hall SS, Brown BJ, Mills DS. Developing and Assessing the Validity of a Scale to Assess Pet Dog Quality of Life: Lincoln P-QoL. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:326. [PMID: 31616681 PMCID: PMC6775215 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been little investment in exploring the impact of the child-dog relationship on the dog. Since child-dog interactions can pose potentially serious threats to a dog's physical and psychological health, as well as the wider satisfaction of the owner with their dog, we describe the development and validation of an owner-completed pet dog quality of life scale (Lincoln P-QOL), to enable professionals and families to monitor dog well-being and employ suitable interventions as required. Four-hundred and two dog-owners (194 lived with a neuro-typically developing child; 208 lived with a child with a neuro-developmental disorder) responded to an online survey. Respondents recorded whether they had observed their dog displaying any of the 22 behavioral responses which have been identified as being common in 11 child-dog interactions. These behavioral responses appeared to group into three categories of behaviors (i.e., behavioral constructs), representing Excitability, Calmness, and Fearfulness in the dog. To assess convergent validity of the quality of life scale respondents completed additional measures including, dog body condition score, health issues (incorporating psychological factors such as anxiety and physical proxies of well-being, such as skin irritations) and dog-owner relationship satisfaction. Excitability and Fearfulness constructs were associated with a negative impact on dog health and the owner-dog relationship. Calmness was associated with a positive impact on the dog-owner relationship. A range of interactions, including carefully expressed child-dog physical affection and spending quiet time together appear to had a beneficial impact on dog quality of life, whereas rough contact, child meltdowns, and grooming/bathing had a negative effect. We found little evidence to support a difference in the overall quality of life of dogs living with neuro-typically developing children compared to those with a neuro-developmental disorder. However, parents and practitioners need to be aware of the potential increased risk to dog well-being when meltdowns, grooming/bathing, and quiet time involve a child with a neuro-developmental disorder. This is the first validated scale for the assessment of dog well-being around children, additionally, the behavioral constructs identified may form the rational basis of a more general dog behavior/stress assessment tool in social situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie S. Hall
- Animal Behaviour Cognition and Welfare Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | - Beverley J. Brown
- Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel S. Mills
- Animal Behaviour Cognition and Welfare Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
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19
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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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20
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Gee NR, Reed T, Whiting A, Friedmann E, Snellgrove D, Sloman KA. Observing Live Fish Improves Perceptions of Mood, Relaxation and Anxiety, But Does Not Consistently Alter Heart Rate or Heart Rate Variability. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16173113. [PMID: 31461881 PMCID: PMC6747257 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16173113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Although fish and other aquatic species are popular privately-kept pets, little is known about the effects of watching live fish on the perceptions of arousal and the link between those perceptions and physiological measures of arousal. In two separate experiments, participants were asked to watch identically-equipped fish tanks for five minutes in each of three conditions: (1) Live fish, (2) plants and water, and (3) empty tank. Linear mixed models used across both experiments revealed similar results: Greater perceptions of relaxation and mood, and less anxiety during or after viewing the live fish condition, compared with the other conditions. Heart rate and heart rate variability responded to the arousal associated with a math task, but did not differ consistently across viewing conditions. These results suggest that the link between perceptions of arousal, and the physiological measures associated with arousal, may not be strong or immediate, or that heart rate and heart rate variability may not be appropriate measures for the test population. Implications of these results for the biophilia hypothesis and the biopsychosocial model are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy R Gee
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York, Fredonia, NY 14063, USA.
- WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Leicestershire LE14 4RT, UK.
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0710, USA.
| | - Taylor Reed
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York, Fredonia, NY 14063, USA
| | - April Whiting
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York, Fredonia, NY 14063, USA
| | - Erika Friedmann
- School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | | | - Katherine A Sloman
- Institute of Biomedical and Environmental Health Research, School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK
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21
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Jacobson KC, Chang L. Associations Between Pet Ownership and Attitudes Toward Pets With Youth Socioemotional Outcomes. Front Psychol 2018; 9:2304. [PMID: 30534102 PMCID: PMC6275470 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence regarding the effects of pet ownership and related variables on youth socioemotional development is mixed. Inconsistencies across studies may be due to a variety of factors, including the use of different outcomes measured across studies, small potential effect sizes, and use of selected samples. In addition, studies have not systematically controlled for demographic characteristics that may bias results, nor have studies systematically examined whether effects are consistent across different subgroups. The present study examined the impact of pet ownership and attitudes toward pets on four measures of youth socioemotional outcomes: delinquency, depressed mood, empathy, and prosocial behavior. Linear mixed-effect regression analyses were conducted on 342 youth (48.0% male) aged 9-19 (M = 14.05, SD = 1.77) from a racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse sample. The majority (59.1%) of youth currently lived with a dog or cat and all participants completed the Pet Attitude Scale-Modified. Pet owners reported lower delinquency and higher empathy than non-owners; however, group differences became non-significant once demographic factors were controlled for. Attitudes toward pets was significantly associated with all four outcomes. More positive attitudes was modestly associated with lower delinquency (β = -0.22, p < 0.001) and higher empathy (β = 0.31, p < 0.001), with smaller effects for depressed mood (β = -0.12, p = 0.04) and prosocial behavior (β = 0.12, p = 0.02). For delinquency, empathy, and prosocial behavior, effects were only slightly attenuated and remained statistically significant after controlling for gender, age, race/ethnicity, family socioeconomic status, and pet ownership, although the effect for depressed mood became non-significant after inclusion of these demographic factors. While there was some variability in effect sizes across different subgroups, none of the interactions between attitudes toward pets and gender, race/ethnicity, age, family SES, or pet ownership was statistically significant, indicating that the effects may transcend individual differences in demographic characteristics. Overall, the study adds to a growing body of work supporting a positive relationship between emotional bonds with pets and youth socioemotional outcomes and offers potential explanations for inconsistencies across previous studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen C. Jacobson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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22
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Barker SB, Schubert CM, Barker RT, Kuo SIC, Kendler KS, Dick DM. The Relationship between Pet Ownership, Social Support, and Internalizing Symptoms in Students from the First to Fourth Year of College. APPLIED DEVELOPMENTAL SCIENCE 2018; 24:279-293. [PMID: 32742161 PMCID: PMC7394412 DOI: 10.1080/10888691.2018.1476148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Internalizing symptoms are prevalent in students as they enter and complete college. Considering research suggesting mental health benefits of pet ownership, this study explores the relationship between pet ownership, social support (SS), and internalizing symptoms (IS) in a cohort of students across their 4-year college experience. With no differences at college entry, students growing up with pets had greater IS through the fourth year, and greater SS through the third year, than those without pets. Currently living with a pet, gender, SS and personality predicted IS in the fourth year. Females experiencing higher IS in their first year are more likely to live with pets in their fourth year, and fourth year females living with pets or greatly missing absent pets have higher IS than females without pets or missing pets less. Findings suggest a unique relationship between IS in female students and their pet relationships not seen in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra B. Barker
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Human-Animal Interaction, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia,
USA
| | - Christine M. Schubert
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio,
USA
| | - Randolph T. Barker
- School of Business, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Kenneth S. Kendler
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth
University
| | - Danielle M. Dick
- Departments of Psychology, African American Studies, and Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth
University
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23
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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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24
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Gadomski AM, Scribani MB, Krupa N, Jenkins P. Pet dogs and child physical activity: the role of child-dog attachment. Pediatr Obes 2017; 12:e37-e40. [PMID: 27229185 PMCID: PMC5285500 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Revised: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dog ownership has been associated with increased physical activity in children which in turn may mitigate childhood obesity. OBJECTIVE To measure the association between child-dog attachment and child physical activity and screen time. METHODS Cross-sectional study including 370 children (ages 4-10) who had pet dogs in the home. Parents completed the DartScreen, a web-based screener, before a well-child visit. Screener domains included child body mass index (BMI), physical activity, screen time and dog-related questions. The Companion Animal Bonding Scale (CABS) was used to measure child attachment to the dog. Clinic nurses weighed and measured the children. Associations between CABS, BMI z-score, screen time and physical activity were estimated. RESULTS CABS was strongly associated with time spent being active with the dog (F = 22.81, p < 0.0001), but not with BMI z-score or screen time. CONCLUSIONS A higher level of child attachment to a pet dog is associated with increased child physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nicole Krupa
- Research Institute, Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown, NY
| | - Paul Jenkins
- Research Institute, Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown, NY
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25
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Westgarth C, Ness AR, Mattocks C, Christley RM. A Birth Cohort Analysis to Study Dog Walking in Adolescence Shows No Relationship with Objectively Measured Physical Activity. Front Vet Sci 2017; 4:62. [PMID: 28560222 PMCID: PMC5432620 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Physical inactivity during childhood and adolescence is a serious health concern. There are few studies of the activity undertaken by adolescents when walking with the family dog, and the effect of this on objectively measured physical activity levels. Objective measures of physical activity using accelerometers were recorded at age 11–12, 13–14, and 15–16 years in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) (ALSPAC, UK) birth cohort during the 2000s. Family pet ownership was collected retrospectively using a questionnaire at age 18 years, for the ages 7, 11, 13, and 15 years. In addition, approximate frequency per week of walks undertaken with dogs were also reported. Multilevel, multivariable modeling was used to investigate the relationship between dog ownership and dog walking status, and physical activity outcomes. There were a total of 4,373 complete data observations for use in 2,055 children. Reported participation in dog walking tended to increase during adolescence, as did dog ownership. The majority of who own dogs reported walking them either 2–6 times/week (range 39–46%) or never (range 27–37%). A small minority (7–8%) reported walking their dog every day. Most reported never walking any other dog either (94–87%). We found no evidence for an association between dog ownership or reported dog walking, and objectively measured physical activity (counts per minute, P = 0.3, or minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, P = 0.7) during adolescence. This study provides no evidence to support a relationship between adolescent dog ownership and physical activity, and demonstrates the importance of using objective activity measures and considering dog walking rather than just dog ownership.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carri Westgarth
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.,Istitute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK
| | - Andrew R Ness
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Biomedical Research Unit in Nutrition, Diet and Lifestyle at the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, The University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Calum Mattocks
- Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Robert M Christley
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.,Istitute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK
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26
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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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27
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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: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [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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