Published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health on March 1, 2012, the study by **Cynthia V. Lentino**, **Alexandra J. Visek**, **Kathleen McDonnell**, and **L. DiPietro** examined the health profiles of nearly 1,000 adults to evaluate how dog walking influences physical activity and chronic disease risk.
The researchers divided participants into three groups: dog walkers (n = 399), dog owners who did not walk their dogs (n = 137), and non–dog owners (n = 380). Each completed an online questionnaire assessing physical activity levels and self-reported health conditions based on Healthy People 2010 risk indicators.
Dog walkers consistently outperformed the other groups in physical activity (MET-min/week) and had lower body mass indices. Notably, even after adjusting for age and moderate-to-high levels of physical activity, dog walkers had significantly lower odds of reporting chronic conditions. Specifically, those who did not walk dogs were more likely to have:
- Diabetes (OR = 2.53)
- Hypertension (OR = 1.71)
- Hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.72)
- Depression (OR = 1.49)
The authors concluded that **dog walking provides health advantages independent of overall exercise volume**, making it a powerful tool for community health promotion. They recommend encouraging this activity as an accessible, sustainable strategy for improving both physical and mental well-being.
Source: Lentino, C. V., Visek, A. J., McDonnell, K., & DiPietro, L. (2012). Dog walking is associated with a favorable risk profile independent of moderate to high volume of physical activity. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 9(3), 414–420.
