Is Dog Owner Obesity a Risk Factor for Canine Obesity? A “One-Health” Study on Human–Animal Interaction in a Region with a High Prevalence of Obesity

Abstract

Obesity in humans is a growing global problem and is one of the greatest public health challenges we face today. Most researchers agree that, as in humans, the incidence in the companion animal population is also increasing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors contributing to canine obesity in a region with a high rate of human obesity (Canary Islands, Spain), co-occurrence of obesogenic risk factors, and a canine population with a high percentage of unneutered dogs. We have focused on owner risk factors that promote obesity in humans, such as weight, lifestyle, nutritional habits, and low physical activity, among others. Thus, the human–animal interaction relationship that contributes to human obesity and influences canine obesity has been studied. A multicentre cross-sectional analytical study of 198 pairs of dogs from urban households and their owners was used. A multivariable logistic regression study was completed to analyse owner characteristics variables associated with canine obesity. This transdisciplinary study was conducted with physicians and veterinarians using a “One Health” approach. Our results suggest that, in a region of high obesogenic risk, obese/overweight dogs are primarily female, older than 6 years, and neutered. Being an overweight dog owner was found to be the most important factor in the occurrence of obesity in dogs. Owners of overweight dogs were mainly females, older than 40 years, who did not engage in any physical activity. A strong correlation has been found between dog owners with low levels of education and obesity in their dogs. We suggest that veterinarians should develop and design strategies to encourage pet owners to engage in physical activity with their dogs for the benefit of both.

Fecal microbiota and inflammatory and antioxidant status of obese and lean dogs, and the effect of caloric restriction

“…When it comes to an excess of body fat in dogs, the protracted imbalance between food intake and energy expenditure must be considered ( Courcier et al, 2010 ), as well as factors related to changes in eating behavior and voluntary physical activity, such as neutering and ageing ( Courcier et al, 2010 ; Kawauchi et al, 2017 ; Suarez et al, 2022 ). Such factors might have affected energy expenditure in client-owned OB dogs in this study, which had different age and neuter status.…”

The Importance of Animal Models in Biomedical Research: Current Insights and Applications

“…In this field, Hoffman et al [ 75 ] reported that comorbidities behind chronic conditions such as obesity, arthritis, hypothyroidism, and diabetes reported in humans were also present in 73,835 canines and that those dogs showed a positive association between age and the number of morbidities ( p < 0.001). Other studies have revealed that obesity in dogs (137/198) is closely linked to the alimentary habits of their owners, finding that the 79.8% of dogs from overweight owners (114 persons) were obese ( p < 0.001) [ 76 ]. Therefore, studies of these animals could provide information on disease interaction.…”

Fatores de risco associados à obesidade e sobrepeso em cães

“…Para Montoya-Alonso et al (2017), há uma relação significativa (p <0,001) entre tutores e cães, obesos ou com sobrepeso, em relação à gordura corpórea, demonstrando que o comportamento e hábitos alimentares similares, bem como baixa ou ausência de prática de atividade física são fatores relevantes para o desenvolvimento dessa relação não saudável. Da mesma forma, Suarez et al (2022) afirmaram que os tutores tendem a reproduzir suas atitudes e comportamentos pessoais em seus animais de companhia. Em cães obesos, esse comportamento é referido como um estilo de vida obesogênico, caracterizado por alimentação em excesso e inatividade (Suarez et al, 2022).…”

“…Da mesma forma, Suarez et al (2022) afirmaram que os tutores tendem a reproduzir suas atitudes e comportamentos pessoais em seus animais de companhia. Em cães obesos, esse comportamento é referido como um estilo de vida obesogênico, caracterizado por alimentação em excesso e inatividade (Suarez et al, 2022). Diferentemente, Muñoz-Prieto et al (2018) não apontaram correlação direta entre a prevalência de obesidade em tutores e cães, sendo que este fato pode ser explicado pelas diferentes populações estudadas e pelos métodos utilizados.…”