Dogs Can Help Their Owners Lose Weight - The PPET Study

by Barbara Bosch
(Saint Louis, MO, USA)

My veterinarian recently gently told me that my dog is a bit overweight. And well, to be honest, I could stand to lose a few pounds myself. So imagine my delight when I learned of a recent study, which showed that dogs and owners can help each other get healthier!





The controlled trial was conducted at the Wellness Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Overweight and obese adults who owned an obese dog or did not own a dog at all were recruited in the Chicago area. The subjects were between 21-65 years of age and had to be in good general health, other than their weight. They were also required to have no limitations on exercise. The dogs had to also be healthy, between 1-6 years old, and spayed or neutered.

Both groups of people, the dog-owners and the dog-less, were instructed to workout for one year, specifically to aim for at least 20-30 minutes of walking exercise each day. Interestingly, at the end of the year, the dog-owners had exercised more than those who tried to go it alone. Both groups had lost weight. The dogs had slimmed down, too.

The study explored the idea that dogs can serve as a sort of social support system for their owners. People who work out with partners are more likely to continue to work out, and a dog can serve by assuming the role of this important partner. A dog is almost always willing to exercise. As dog-lovers everywhere know, a dog is going to support the human person it loves, no matter what the endeavor. I know that my dog is not going to laugh at me when I share my weight loss goals. He is not going to heckle me when I begin to exercise, or when the alarm goes off early and I attempt to crawl out of bed to take him for a walk. He's certainly not going to tell me that my sweatpants are too tight.

Quite the contrary. My dog is going to jump around and wag his tail and lick me at the mere mention of the word, ?Walk.? I can't imagine a better form of social support.

So, if you have a dog, whether it's obese or not, you might consider recruiting it to be your new exercise partner. If you don't have a dog, you might consider adopting one. Before making this life-changing decision, however, make sure that your lifestyle can meet the needs of a new family member. Ask a veterinarian, or a dog trainer, to determine which breed is right for you and your family. Some breeds require far more exercise than others. Try to find a breed that will be compatible with your exercise (and life) goals.

Exercising with your dog is not limited to walking. If you are really ambitious, you can jog. How does your dog feel about frisbee? Or a good old-fashioned Tennis Ball? Not all dogs are game for chase and fetch, but all dogs have a playful nature. You might consider the new fad of dancing with your dog! (In the garage, maybe? Where no one can see you?) Obedience or agility training also offers lots of exercise opportunity. Try out a few different options and see which one you (and your best friend) like the most!

Be sure to consult with a veterinarian and your physician before beginning any exercise regimen. Once you've received their blessing, give your dog the good news: Time to go for a walk! Then just try to keep up!

Barbara Bosch is writer and co-editor for www.weightlosstriumph.com, a website devoted to reviews on weight loss diets.