Dennis E. Jewell PhD, Robert F. Kushner MD

Hill's Pet Nutrition and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Obesity is a significant public health problem that is affecting both people and their pets.

The human-companion animal bond and the role of pets in providing social support provides a rational framework for studying the response to a weight loss program.

(image: a drawing of the progression of man, from caveman to overweight man of today)

Three treatments were investigated in a one year study.

• People losing weight
• Dogs losing weight
• Dogs and Owners losing weight together

People only – 56 individuals

Dogs only – 53 individuals

People and dogs – 35 pairs

People needed to have a BMI of greater than 25 be in good general health and have no limitations to exercise.

Dogs needed to have a BCS of 4 or 5 be in good general health and between 1-6 years of age.

Dogs has an increased completion percent

PPET had a significant increased completion of dogs and owners.

(image: bar graph titled "Treatment Effect on Study Completion")

Dogs lost a greater percent of body weight that people

All treatments had improved body weight on this study (P<.05).

(image: bar graph titled "Percent Loss of body weight")

(image: bar graph titled "Dogs Quality of Life (QOL)")

Treatment did not effect dogs QOL.

Both groups improved QOL while on the study (P<.05).

(image: bar graph titled "Dogs Quality of Life (QOL)")

(image: bar graph titled "Owners Quality of Life (QOL)")

Both groups improved QOL while on the study (P<.05). PPET group more than Dog only (P<.05).

(image: bar graph titled "Owners Quality of Life (QOL)")

(image: bar graph titled "Change in Owner-Dog Interaction Time")

There was increased interaction in both groups (P<.05)
The PPET group increased interaction more than the dog only group (P<.05)

(image: bar graph titled "Change in Owner-Dog Interaction Time")

(image: bar graph titled "Change in Dog Exercise Time")

There was increased exercise in both groups (P<.05).
The dogs in the PPET group increased exercise more than the dog only group (P<.05).

(image: bar graph titled "Change in Dog Exercise Time")

People and pets can lose weight and keep it off

They experienced improved owner reported quality of Life

Quality of life between owner and pet were strongly linked

Your pet might be your best weight loss partner

Change life patterns – increase exercise

Eat the right foods:
   People – high fruits and vegetables with reduced total consumption
   Dogs – Prescription Diet® r/d and Prescription Diet® w/d

Have a support system, pets can be a great motivator
  - initiate exercise
  - enjoyment of weight loss
  - "parental" pride in mutual success

(image: drawing of slimmer man - from earlier drawing - running with dog)

Questions?

(image: photo of smiling man holding cat)