Dr. Dog, keeping your kids fit and healthy!

                A few years ago I adopted a sweet little dog named Sasha, an adorably cute and playful rascal.  She’s a Jack Russell terrier, a type of dog well known for being energetic and active, so I’ve tried to match Sasha’s enthusiasm by taking her for regular runs.  Sasha’s become the best personal fitness trainer I could ever ask for!

Sasha, slightly wet and muddy but still cute as ever!

                It turns out I’m not alone.  A study in the American Journal of Public Health revealed that kids in families with dogs tended to get more daily exercise.  That’s one great way to get Junior off the couch and playing outside!

Tell me more about this study!

                Kids from 78 schools across England were asked if their families had dogs, and were fitted with special hip bands that tracked their physical activity for a week.  Kids with dogs got more light exercise (like walking) and vigorous exercise (like running) compared to kids without dogs.

                Did this mean that getting dogs helped kids exercise more, or simply that families that were already fit tended to get dogs?  According to study author Dr. Christopher Owen (from the University of London), “Studies in adults before and after dog ownership suggest that dog owners become more active”.  In other words, people get more exercise right after getting a dog (like Sasha and me!).

                One concern that Dr. Owen noted is that families of black or Asian race were less likely to own a dog than white families.  There may be cultural differences that serve as a barrier to dog ownership; we need to do a better job of communicating the benefits of dogs to everyone!

Also, one more birthday party to celebrate!

Why is exercise for kids important?

                 Children becoming overweight or obese (extremely overweight) is an increasing problem in America and many other countries in the world.  Overweight kids are much more likely to develop serious health problems as they grow up, including diabetes, heart disease, and even some cancers.  More than one-third of all children in America are overweight or obese!

                The problem has become so dire that our First Lady, Michelle Obama, has made addressing childhood obesity her #1 priority.  Michelle started a program called “Let’s Move” which focuses on figuring out ways to get children to exercise and lose those extra pounds. Michelle works hard on exercising with her own daughters (Malia and Sasha, just like my little pooch!).  Shortly after the Obamas moved to Washington DC, they got a fun-loving puppy named Bo.  In an interview with Bark magazine, Michelle said that “Through Let’s Move! we encourage families to find creative ways to stay active… since Bo is an energetic dog, I know that when the girls take him out for his nightly walk they also run around and play outside with him.”

Bo hanging with his family

So what should I do?

                Simple – if you have kids that need to be pried away from the TV, get a dog!  In addition to the health benefits of additional exercise, it’s a great way to teach kids about responsibility, and they’ll surely be glad about getting a new best bud.  Now getting a dog isn’t for everyone, but some of the common concerns about dog ownership can be addressed by getting the right type of dog.  Have family members that are allergic to dog fur?  There are many dog breeds that don’t cause allergic reactions, such as poodles or schnauzers.  Worried that your apartment is too cramped for a dog?  Some dog breeds like pugs or bulldogs do just fine in smaller spaces.

                So head on down to your local animal shelter, and don’t forget to thank Fido for making exercise fun again!

Joe Abrams is a PhD student at Emory University and researcher at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Sasha Abrams is a world-class speed demon, squirrel chaser, and cutie pie.