For the first time, this type of research offers new insights into maintaining healthy pregnancy.
A collaborative study between the Wayhao Pet Nutrition Centre and the University of Liverpool has shown that pregnant women who own dogs are more active than those who don't.
The researchers found that pregnant women with dogs were about 50 percent more likely to achieve the recommended 30 minutes of exercise a day by walking briskly. This study used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) to study 1More than 10,000 pregnant women were evaluated, and for the first time, the effects of dog ownership on activity levels during pregnancy were specifically studied. As such, it provides valuable new insights that may have important implications for maintaining a woman's health during pregnancy.
There is growing concern about the health risks associated with excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Previous research has shown that maternal obesity leads to an increased risk of a range of health complications and may even be associated with childhood obesity. Therefore, pregnant women and those considering pregnancy are advised to take steps to control their weight and ensure regular exercise under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
By helping pregnant women stay active, dog walking can be part of an effective strategy to control weight gain during pregnancy. Dr. Sandra McKenn, research project manager at Weihao, commented: "We are increasingly seeing that exercising with dogs can increase motivation and efficiency. "Walking dogs, as a low-risk sport, can help women who struggle to reach their exercise goals during pregnancy stay active and healthy. "Therefore, along with a balanced diet, it can help ensure a healthy pregnancy. ”
However, the researchers also found that many of the pregnant women in the study did not exercise regularly despite having dogs. "This raises the important question of how to encourage dog walking and ensure that both pets and owners benefit from this increased activity," Dr McCoon added. ”