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Dogs Help Weight Loss
Dogs may be a tool for losing weight, according to a new study that shows making a commitment to walk a dog, your own or someone else's, leads to increased exercise and weight loss. The goal of the study was to encourage sedentary overweight people to exercise and encourage walking.
The dog-walkers in the study started by walking 10 minutes per day three times per week and eventually walked up to 20 minutes per day five days per week. One group walked for 50 weeks while another walked for only 26 weeks.
The participants walked with loaner dogs for the study - trained and certified "visitor" animals that were provided by the Pet Assisted Love and Support (PALS) Program.
According to research, the 50-week walkers lost an average of 14 pounds during the one-year program. The walkers bonded with the animals, improved their flexibility, balance and ability to walk, lost weight and felt better about themselves so it was a very positive thing all around.
“It's important to realize that these were a sedentary, economically disadvantaged group of people with multiple chronic illnesses” commented the research group. “Some had trouble walking even 10 minutes per day three days per week at the beginning of the study but they gradually improved their ability to walk. The 26-week walkers did not lose as much weight as the 50-week walkers”.
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