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A cross-sectional study of frequency and factors associated with dog walking in 9-10 year old children in Liverpool, UK
- Source :
- BMC Public Health
- Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- Background: Owning a pet dog could potentially improve child health through encouraging participation in physical activity, through dog walking. However, evidence to support this is limited and conflicting. In particular, little is known about children’s participation in dog walking and factors that may be associated with this. The objective of this study was to describe the participation of children in dog walking, including their own and those belonging to somebody else, and investigate factors associated with regular walking with their own pet dog. Methods: Primary school children (n=1021, 9–10 years) from a deprived area of Liverpool were surveyed during a ‘fitness fun day’ as part of the SportsLinx project. The ‘Child Lifestyle and Pets’ survey included questions about pet ownership, pet attachment, and dog walking. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate factors associated with walking any dog, or their own dog, several times a day or more, including level of attachment to the dog, dog type, and sociodemographic factors. Results: Overall, 15.4% of children reported walking with any dog (their own or belonging to a friend or family member) ≥ once daily, 14.1% several times a week, 27.6% ≤ once a week, and 42.8% never. Dog owning children (37.1% of the population) more often reported dog walking ‘several times a week or more’ (OR=12.30, 95% CI=8.10-18.69, P
- Subjects :
- Gerontology
Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Urban Population
Cross-sectional study
medicine.medical_treatment
Population
Health Behavior
Animal-assisted therapy
Child Welfare
Attachment
Walking
Motor Activity
Logistic regression
Dogs
Surveys and Questionnaires
Epidemiology
Dog
Medicine
Animals
Humans
Sibling
education
Child
Children
education.field_of_study
business.industry
Physical activity
Human-Animal Bond
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Age Factors
Pets
United Kingdom
Cross-Sectional Studies
Logistic Models
Multivariate Analysis
HUBzero
Female
Biostatistics
business
human activities
Demography
Research Article
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14712458
- Volume :
- 13
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- BMC public health
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....4b8fe3120a3c33514bb21d15c13f5ee2