U.S. – A new study suggests man’s best friend may help children become more active. As reported by LiveScience.com, researchers found that kids who have dogs in their families are more active than those without them.
As noted in the report, the St George’s University of London researchers found that children with household dogs spent an average of 11 minutes more doing physical activity than non pet owners per day.
Lead researcher Christopher Owen, a senior lecturer in epidemiology, is quoted in the report as stating of the findings, “The more active lifestyles of children from dog-owning families really interesting – is it that owning a dog makes you more active or that more active families choose to have a dog?… It’s a bit of a chicken and egg question. Long-term studies are needed to answer it, but it may be a bit of both.â€
More information about the study may be available in the American Journal of Public Health.