A cross-sectional exploratory analysis between pet ownership, sleep, exercise, health and neighbourhood perceptions: the Whitehall II cohort study

• DOI: 10.1186/s12877-018-0867-3
• Publication Date: 2018-08-09T09:06:03Z
• Authors: Gill Mein; Robert Grant
• Keywords: Cross-sectional study; Neighbourhood (mathematics)

To explore associations between pets, and specifically dog ownership sleep, health, exercise neighbourhood. Cross sectional examination of 6575 participants the Whitehall II study aged 59 79 years. We used self-assessed measurement scales Short Form (SF36), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Control, Autonomy, Self-realisation Pleasure (CASP), Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), exercise, perceptions local In addition Mini Mental State Examination which is administered to test global cognitive status (MMSE). found 2/7 people owned a pet those 64% were "very" attached their pet. Mild in metabolic equivalents (MET-hours) was significantly higher owners than non-owners (median 27.8 (IQR 18.1 41.8) vs 25.7 16.8 38.7), p = 0.0001), other pets 32.3 20.8 46.1) 25.6 38.5), < 0.0001). Moderate also non 11.8 4.2 21.9) 9.8 2.8 19.5), 12.3 22.2) 10.1 (3.1 20.0), 0.0002) but there no significant differences with vigorous exercise. that more positive about neighbourhood on 8/9 questions, while (significantly) even questions. Associations sleep mixed, although had less trouble falling asleep non-dog owners, borderline statistical significance. Dog feel neighbourhood, do fall easily owners. These results suggest could be likely by walking dogs therefore may familiar area they walk dog.