Children from dog-owning families are significantly more active than their pet-free peers. Scientists from the University of Western Australia came to this conclusion. Research results published In the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (LJBNPA).
Scientists followed 600 Australian families for three years to assess children’s mobility levels when they got a dog and when they lost their pet. The ages of the children participating in the study ranged from two to seven years. The time children spent sitting and doing physical activity was measured using accelerometers, small hip-mounted devices that track an object’s position in space.
Half of the children did not have a dog during the study. In 204 subjects, the pet was in the family for three years. During the research period, 58 more children adopted a dog and 31 children lost their pets during the same period.
Researchers found a significant increase in daily physical activity among children whose families owned dogs during the study period. At the same time, the children of children whose families lost a dog began to move less. These results were especially striking for girls. With the arrival of the dog, their activities increased by almost an hour (52 minutes) per day. The team also found that boys and girls who bought dogs increased their unplanned physical activity. They started playing outside more often and walking in parks.
The authors of the study emphasized that increasing children’s physical activity levels is an important benefit of having a dog in the family. Mobility is essential for physical and mental health; prevents diabetes, obesity and depression. Walking and playing with your pet can motivate children to reduce the time they spend sitting.
Previously was named The dog breed whose representatives enjoy watching television the most.