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New research suggests that having a dog may be associated with young girls being physically active for nearly an hour longer per day.
Based on the results, acquiring a new canine companion or experiencing the loss of a family pet is linked to the amount of physical activity that children engage in within the household, with the greatest effect observed in girls.
According to the researchers, including a dog in the household may encourage individuals to engage in healthy physical activity.
The findings indicate that having a dog can positively impact the physical activity of children, and these benefits can be observed as early as childhood.
Emma Adams, the lead researcher at Telethon Kids Institute in Australia, stated that their findings demonstrate the positive impact of dog ownership on children’s physical activity, which can be seen as early as childhood.
She clarified, “My intention was to focus on the long-term impact of owning a dog in order to observe any potential changes in children’s physical activity after introducing a dog into the family.”
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During the study period, there was a noticeable increase in the amount of daily physical activity among children whose families obtained a dog. Conversely, children whose families lost a dog during the study period showed a sharp decrease in physical activity.
The findings were especially significant for girls, as those who got a dog saw an increase in their daily light intensity activity and playtime by nearly an hour (52 minutes).
“Conversely, girls who lost a dog showed a significant decrease in their participation in light intensity activities and games, with a reduction of 62 minutes per day.”
A team of researchers from Telethon Institute and The University of Western Australia conducted a study on 600 children between the ages of two and seven for three years. They examined how owning or losing a dog affects their physical activity levels.
The time they spent sedentary, on screens and physically active was measured at two separate times using accelerometers – small devices worn on the hip during waking hours for seven days at a time.
The parents were also inquired about their children’s level of physical activity.
During the study period, 50% of the children did not have a dog. 204 children had a dog for the entire three years, while 58 gained a dog during the study and 31 lost a dog throughout the course of the study.
According to the research, girls who got a dog engaged in light intensity activities and games (such as slow walking or doing crafts) for an additional 52 minutes per day. On the other hand, girls who no longer had a dog spent 62 fewer minutes per day on these activities, compared to non-dog owners who did not experience any change.
Families who adopted a dog during the study saw a significant increase in unstructured physical activity for both girls and boys. This included activities like playing in the yard, going to the park, walking, and playing with the dog. On average, there was an increase of seven instances per week. In contrast, children from families without a dog showed no changes in their physical activity levels.
“According to Ms Adams, the only significant changes in unstructured physical activity were seen when we removed dog walking and playing. This suggests that the increase in physical activity was directly linked to these specific dog-related activities.”
We want to emphasize that we are not advising families to simply get a dog. Owning a dog requires a significant amount of responsibility and may not be suitable for everyone.
In comparison, girls who lost a dog decreased their unstructured physical activity by an average of 10.2 sessions per week, while boys decreased by an average of 7.7 sessions per week.
According to Ms Adams, it is crucial for children to engage in regular physical activity from a young age in order to promote their physical and mental well-being and growth. However, only a small percentage of children and teenagers are currently meeting the recommended daily amount of exercise.
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Our research suggests that having a pet dog in the household may encourage children to engage in healthy physical activity and decrease their chances of developing chronic illnesses in the short and long term.
It is crucial to mention that we are not advising families to simply acquire a dog. Owning a dog entails numerous responsibilities and may not be suitable for everyone.
Instead, the focus is on motivating families who already have a dog to utilize this method more in order to promote physical activity. This is because not all children with a dog will engage in walking and playing with the dog.
Researchers have found that there is a link between dogs and the amount of physical activity children engage in over a long period of time. This study, published in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, is the first of its kind.
Source: independent.co.uk
