The impact of dog walking on leisure-time physical activity: results from a population-based survey of Michigan adults

The extent to which dog walking promotes leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) remains unresolved. We describe the characteristics of people who walk their dog, and assess the impact on LTPA. Information on dog ownership, dog walking patterns, total walking activity and LTPA were assessed in the 200...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of physical activity & health 2011-03, Vol.8 (3), p.436-444
Main Authors: Reeves, Mathew J, Rafferty, Ann P, Miller, Corinne E, Lyon-Callo, Sarah K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Animals
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Contests
Dogs
Entrepreneurs
Exercise
Female
Humans
Leisure Activities
Male
Michigan
Middle Aged
Pets
Sex Factors
Socioeconomic Factors
Walking
Young Adult
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Summary:The extent to which dog walking promotes leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) remains unresolved. We describe the characteristics of people who walk their dog, and assess the impact on LTPA. Information on dog ownership, dog walking patterns, total walking activity and LTPA were assessed in the 2005 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey. Multiple logistic regression was used to generate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for the effect of dog walking on total walking and LTPA. Of 5902 respondents 41% owned a dog, and of these, 61% walked their dog for at least 10 minutes at a time. However, only 27% walked their dog at least 150 minutes per week. Dog walking was associated with a significant increase in walking activity and LTPA. Compared with non-dog owners, the odds of obtaining at least 150 minutes per week of total walking were 34% higher for dog walkers (AOR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.13 to 1.59), and the odds of doing any LTPA were 69% higher (AOR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.33 to 2.15). Dog walking was associated with more walking and LTPA, however a substantial proportion of dog owners do not walk their dog. The promotion of dog walking could help increase LTPA.
ISSN:1543-3080
1543-5474
DOI:10.1123/jpah.8.3.436