Overweight and Obese Pet Owners
Respondent and Pet Characteristics in the Rural Midwestern United States
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 2161993 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Roschelle A Heuberger (Human Environmental Studies, Central Michigan University, Michigan, USA), Roschelle Heuberger (0000-0001-9216-5627, corresponding author), Jennifer A Garner (Cornell University), Jennifer Garner (0000-0001-9735-294X), Alison Corby (Human Environmental Studies, Central Michigan University, Michigan, USA), Kierstin Dewitt (Human Environmental Studies, Central Michigan University, Michigan, USA), Rebecca Vander Sluis (Human Environmental Studies, Central Michigan University, Michigan, USA) |
| Year | 2016 |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 219-230 |
| Publication date | 2016-05-03 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Anthrozoös (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0892-7936 • E-ISSN: 1753-0377 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/08927936.2016.1152712 |
| OpenAlex | W2359099462 |
| Language | DE |
| References cited | 32 |
The obesity epidemic has impacted both people and pets in the rural Midwestern United States (MWUS). Tailoring health advice to the socio-demographic characteristics and dietary patterns of owners and their pets can help promote adherence to health behavior changes for owners and foster health improvements for both owners and pets. The authors completed this cross-sectional study in the rural MWUS with the objective of describing health-related characteristics of non-over-weight/obese versus overweight/obese [NOO vs. OO] cat and dog owners and their pets. The primary aim was to detect differences that could inform health recommendations. For both cat and dog owners, dietary and lifestyle profiles differed between those who were non-overweight/obese and those who were overweight/obese. NOO dog owners trended toward fewer health problems, took fewer medications (p < 0.02), took more supplements (p < 0.03), and ate less fast food (p < 0.03) and more fish (p < 0.001) than OO owners. Dogs owned by NOO owners had more owner-initiated activity (M ± SD: 44.6 ± 63.0 vs. 27.2 ± 26.4 min/d) and were on more supplements (p < 0.003). NOO cat owners were younger (p < 0.03), had fewer health problems (p < 0.04), took fewer medications (p < 0.04), engaged in more exercise (p < 0.02), and ate less fast food (p < 0.03) than OO cat owners. The only significant difference between cats of NOO vs. OO owners was their predominant gender: 57% vs. 74% female (p < 0.01). These findings have implications for marketing, education, and health care for both owners and pets. Further investigation of the relationship between pet ownership and health is warranted
Animal welfare · Animal-assisted therapy · Biology · Environmental health · Health problems · Obesity · Overweight · Pet therapy · Respondent · Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies · Human-Animal Interaction Studies · Medicine · Psychology · Veterinary Medicine and Surgery · Demography · Gerontology · Internal Medicine
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |