Read the original in a highly cited new study has showing that regularly walking a dog boosts levels of physical activity in older people, especially during the winter. Researchers found that owning or walking a dog was one of the most effective ways to beat the usual decline in later-life activity, even combatting the effects of bad weather. Dog owners were sedentary for 30 minutes less per day, on average.

Source: Dog walking could be key to ensuring activity in later life | EurekAlert! Science News

Whilst the results are intuitive, the study adds value in supporting the need for adults, especially older people, to get more excercize. However, this is only part of the story. It needs to be combined with a healthy diet and weight control, especially avoidance of obesity. Another factor is moderate consumption of alcohol. Additionally, in North America, the primary cause of death for the under fifties is now drug abuse, particularly opioids. If addicts can’t look after themselves, surely they should be excluded from having pets?

Regretably, too many families don’t give their dogs enough excercize – they’re too lazy or selfish to be dog owners really – they just want to dog’s affection or to put photos on facebook. Also the dog walking seems to go to the same family member, if at all. Why not have quality family time with the whole family and the dog?

It’s a shame that the mainstream media that’s citing this new resaerch are not putting in in a proper context.

Thoughts?