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Children, parents, and pets exercising together (CPET) randomised controlled trial: study rationale, design, and
Philippa S Yam1, Ryan Morrison, Viki Penpraze
1University of Glasgow College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, Glasgow, UK. philippa.yam@glasgow.ac.uk
BMC Public Health
|March 21, 2012
Summary
This study explores a dog-walking program to increase physical activity in children. The intervention aims to promote activity and reduce sedentary behavior in families with 9-11 year olds.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Objectively measured physical activity is low in British children and declines with age.
- Dog-walking interventions show promise for increasing physical activity in children and adults.
- No public health interventions based on dog-walking with children have been published.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a theory-driven, generalizable, family-based, dog-walking intervention for 9-11 year olds.
- To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a dog-walking intervention for promoting physical activity in children.
- To inform future dog-based public health interventions for children and adults.
Main Methods:
- Exploratory, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) following UK MRC Framework and CONSORT guidance.
- Approximately 40 dog-owning families randomly allocated to a 10-week behavioral intervention or a waitlist control group.
- Primary outcome: change in objectively measured child physical activity (Actigraph accelerometry). Secondary outcomes include sedentary behavior, body composition, BMI, quality of life, and parent/dog activity levels.
Main Results:
- The study is the first RCT to evaluate a dog-based physical activity promotion intervention for families.
- It will provide insights into using pet dogs to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior in children and adults.
- Results will inform the design of future, larger RCTs and public health strategies.
Conclusions:
- This trial is the first randomized controlled study to establish and evaluate an intervention for dog-based physical activity promotion in families.
- It will advance understanding of how pet dogs can be utilized to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior in children and adults.
- The findings are intended to inform future dog-based public health interventions, including secondary prevention strategies.
