Investigation of dog ownership and physical activity on weekdays and weekends using longitudinal data from the SOEP Cohort
Abstract This study examines the association between dog ownership over a period of 5 years (always, sometimes and no ownership) with physical activity on weekdays and weekends over a period of 6 years using the nationally representative German Socio-Economic Panel. Participants were asked if they h...
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Nature Portfolio
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-77231-x |
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| author | Yu TANIGUCHI Tomoko IKEUCHI Markus M. Grabka Jongsay Yong |
| author_facet | Yu TANIGUCHI Tomoko IKEUCHI Markus M. Grabka Jongsay Yong |
| author_sort | Yu TANIGUCHI |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This study examines the association between dog ownership over a period of 5 years (always, sometimes and no ownership) with physical activity on weekdays and weekends over a period of 6 years using the nationally representative German Socio-Economic Panel. Participants were asked if they had any pets and how many hours they spend on sports, fitness, and exercise. We hypothesized that the length of dog ownership may have different effects on the physical activity of the owner. Overall, 15,240 participants completed the questionnaire on dog ownership in both 2011 and 2016, and reported their physical activity levels at least once between 2013 and 2018. Generalized estimating equation models showed that, compared to no ownership, always dog ownership was associated with higher physical activity on weekdays (Coefficient = 0.106, Standard Error: SE = 0.027, P < 0.001) and weekends (Coefficient = 0.121, SE = 0.033, P < 0.001) respectively, after controlling for related socio-demographic, physical, and psychological factors during the 6-year follow-up period. During the same follow-up period, sometimes dog ownership had no clear association with physical activity on both weekdays (Coefficient=-0.012, SE = 0.033, P = 0.706) and weekends (Coefficient = 0.049, SE = 0.039, P = 0.209) compared to no ownership. This study showed for the first time that longer dog ownership is associated with higher physical activity on both weekdays and weekends. Future research will be needed to investigate whether any causal relationships underlie the association. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9078855d3c5d42d3b2c56031767f1dbc |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-9078855d3c5d42d3b2c56031767f1dbc2025-08-20T02:18:14ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-10-0114111010.1038/s41598-024-77231-xInvestigation of dog ownership and physical activity on weekdays and weekends using longitudinal data from the SOEP CohortYu TANIGUCHI0Tomoko IKEUCHI1Markus M. Grabka2Jongsay Yong3Japan Environment and Children’s Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental StudiesResearch Team for Human Care, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology (TMIG)German Institute for Economic Research / SOEPMelbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne, Faculty of Business and Economics BuildingAbstract This study examines the association between dog ownership over a period of 5 years (always, sometimes and no ownership) with physical activity on weekdays and weekends over a period of 6 years using the nationally representative German Socio-Economic Panel. Participants were asked if they had any pets and how many hours they spend on sports, fitness, and exercise. We hypothesized that the length of dog ownership may have different effects on the physical activity of the owner. Overall, 15,240 participants completed the questionnaire on dog ownership in both 2011 and 2016, and reported their physical activity levels at least once between 2013 and 2018. Generalized estimating equation models showed that, compared to no ownership, always dog ownership was associated with higher physical activity on weekdays (Coefficient = 0.106, Standard Error: SE = 0.027, P < 0.001) and weekends (Coefficient = 0.121, SE = 0.033, P < 0.001) respectively, after controlling for related socio-demographic, physical, and psychological factors during the 6-year follow-up period. During the same follow-up period, sometimes dog ownership had no clear association with physical activity on both weekdays (Coefficient=-0.012, SE = 0.033, P = 0.706) and weekends (Coefficient = 0.049, SE = 0.039, P = 0.209) compared to no ownership. This study showed for the first time that longer dog ownership is associated with higher physical activity on both weekdays and weekends. Future research will be needed to investigate whether any causal relationships underlie the association.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-77231-xDogAnimalsPhysical activitySOEP |
| spellingShingle | Yu TANIGUCHI Tomoko IKEUCHI Markus M. Grabka Jongsay Yong Investigation of dog ownership and physical activity on weekdays and weekends using longitudinal data from the SOEP Cohort Scientific Reports Dog Animals Physical activity SOEP |
| title | Investigation of dog ownership and physical activity on weekdays and weekends using longitudinal data from the SOEP Cohort |
| title_full | Investigation of dog ownership and physical activity on weekdays and weekends using longitudinal data from the SOEP Cohort |
| title_fullStr | Investigation of dog ownership and physical activity on weekdays and weekends using longitudinal data from the SOEP Cohort |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigation of dog ownership and physical activity on weekdays and weekends using longitudinal data from the SOEP Cohort |
| title_short | Investigation of dog ownership and physical activity on weekdays and weekends using longitudinal data from the SOEP Cohort |
| title_sort | investigation of dog ownership and physical activity on weekdays and weekends using longitudinal data from the soep cohort |
| topic | Dog Animals Physical activity SOEP |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-77231-x |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yutaniguchi investigationofdogownershipandphysicalactivityonweekdaysandweekendsusinglongitudinaldatafromthesoepcohort AT tomokoikeuchi investigationofdogownershipandphysicalactivityonweekdaysandweekendsusinglongitudinaldatafromthesoepcohort AT markusmgrabka investigationofdogownershipandphysicalactivityonweekdaysandweekendsusinglongitudinaldatafromthesoepcohort AT jongsayyong investigationofdogownershipandphysicalactivityonweekdaysandweekendsusinglongitudinaldatafromthesoepcohort |