Department of Family Studies and Social Work, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.
Department of Human Development and Family Science.
Gerontologist. 2017 Oct 1;57(5):930-939. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnw051.
This study explored the associations between dog ownership and pet bonding with walking behavior and health outcomes in older adults.
We used data from the 12th wave (2012) of the Health and Retirement Study which included an experimental human-animal interaction module. Ordinary least squares regression and binary logistic regression models controlling for demographic variables were used to answer the research questions.
Dog walking was associated with lower body mass index, fewer activities of daily living limitations, fewer doctor visits, and more frequent moderate and vigorous exercise. People with higher degrees of pet bonding were more likely to walk their dog and to spend more time walking their dog each time, but they reported walking a shorter distance with their dog than those with weaker pet bonds. Dog ownership was not associated with better physical health or health behaviors.
This study provides evidence for the association between dog walking and physical health using a large, nationally representative sample. The relationship with one's dog may be a positive influence on physical activity for older adults.
本研究探讨了犬类饲养与宠物依恋对老年人行走行为和健康结果的关联。
我们使用了来自健康与退休研究第十二波（2012 年）的数据，其中包括一个实验性的人与动物互动模块。采用普通最小二乘法回归和二元逻辑回归模型控制人口统计学变量来回答研究问题。
遛狗与较低的体重指数、较少的日常生活活动受限、较少的就诊次数以及更频繁的适度和剧烈运动有关。宠物依恋程度较高的人更有可能遛狗，每次遛狗的时间也更长，但他们遛狗的距离比宠物依恋程度较弱的人短。犬类饲养与身体健康或健康行为无关。
本研究使用大型全国代表性样本为犬类散步与身体健康之间的关联提供了证据。与狗的关系可能对老年人的身体活动有积极影响。
