Those who have dogs know for sure that these cute animals make our lives better, even without seeing the scientific evidence behind it. Studies have proven that in addition to having a faithful companion, dog owners have better cardiovascular health and physical stamina. If you are still in doubt about whether you should have a dog or not, consider the health benefits for you as well as your family members.
In a research report called The Kardiovize Brno 2030, researchers studied a population from Central Europe that was made up of 1769 people, aged from 25 to 64 years old, 44.3 percent of them males, and with no history of heart diseases. Within some years researchers compared dog owners and people who had other pets or no pets at all across parameters such as body mass index, diet, physical activity levels, blood pressure, smoking, cardiovascular health, and cholesterol levels.
Out of all the patients 24.3 percent had a dog, and it turned out that group of people were more physically active, smoked less, and had the ideal levels of blood glucose and “good” cholesterol in comparison with other participants. Those and other physical parameters resulted in better cardiovascular health and lower risk of heart diseases.
Scientists explain those health benefits by the fact that dog owners are more physically active than people that have other pets or no pets at all. If you have a doggo, you are most likely walking him or her yourself, rain or shine, and being more physically active than other people without even noticing it.
Earlier studies have proven that dog owners that regularly walk their pets are 34 percent more likely to reach the necessary level of physical activity, as reported by Brightside. What is more, researchers have found that walking a dog isn’t just a substitute for other physical activities. Those who have dogs as pets tend to have more moderate and vigorous physical activities in our lives than other people, such as sports, dancing, and gardening.
Other findings also revealed that young and older adults walk their pets more often and consequently have higher health benefits, and that dogs one-year-old or younger and dogs of large breeds were walked more often and for more extended periods respectively. Along with making us walk more, the human-dog bond has an overall positive effect on our quality of life. Doctors think that public campaigns promoting responsible dog ownership are a good step on the way to a healthier society.
Amanda Seyfried (@mingey) on
COMMENTS