International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

A recent women's health study has found pregnant dog owners are around 50 per cent more likely to manage the recommended amount of exercise per day than those who do not possess one of the animals.

This may be significant because previous research has shown maternal obesity and excessive weight gain while carrying a child increases the risk of birth difficulties and potentially the offspring's future health.

Indeed, a team at the Imperial College London in England recently found infants of mothers with a high body mass index have a higher chance of having livers that contain more fat and being overweight themselves than babies of slimmer people.

Pregnant women are encouraged to take 30 minutes of physical activity a day, with swimming, hiking, jogging and walking recommended.

The research surveyed over 11,000 mothers-to-be and although the scientists said taking a dog for exercise is a recommended way for mothers-to-be to avoid obesity, they reported no difference between the weight of people with and without dogs.

"This means that we need to look at how promotion of dog walking could be integrated into a wider strategy, which includes advice on healthy eating, to encourage exercise during pregnancy and reduce weight gain," Dr Carri Westgarth, from the University of Liverpool's Institute of Infection and Global Health in the UK, stated.

A team at the institution conducted the study in partnership with Mars Petcare and is published in the journal the Public Library of Science One.

Posted by Martine Ward