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. 2017 Oct;12(5):e37-e40.
doi: 10.1111/ijpo.12156. Epub 2016 May 27.

Pet dogs and child physical activity: the role of child-dog attachment

A M Gadomski  1 , M B Scribani  1 , N Krupa  1 , P Jenkins  1
Affiliations

Pet dogs and child physical activity: the role of child-dog attachment

A M Gadomski et al. Pediatr Obes. 2017 Oct.

Abstract

Background: Dog ownership has been associated with increased physical activity in children which in turn may mitigate childhood obesity.

Objective: To measure the association between child-dog attachment and child physical activity and screen time.

Methods: Cross-sectional study including 370 children (ages 4-10) who had pet dogs in the home. Parents completed the DartScreen, a web-based screener, before a well-child visit. Screener domains included child body mass index (BMI), physical activity, screen time and dog-related questions. The Companion Animal Bonding Scale (CABS) was used to measure child attachment to the dog. Clinic nurses weighed and measured the children. Associations between CABS, BMI z-score, screen time and physical activity were estimated.

Results: CABS was strongly associated with time spent being active with the dog (F = 22.81, p < 0.0001), but not with BMI z-score or screen time.

Conclusions: A higher level of child attachment to a pet dog is associated with increased child physical activity.

Keywords: Attachment; children; companion animal bonding scale; dog; human-animal interaction; physical activity.

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