Dataset Information

Relationships between dog ownership and physical activity in postmenopausal women.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Positive associations between dog ownership and physical activity in older adults have been previously reported.

Purpose

The objective of this study was to examine cross-sectional associations between dog ownership and physical activity measures in a well-characterized, diverse sample of postmenopausal women.

Methods

Analyses included 36,984 dog owners (mean age: 61.5years), and 115,645 non-dog owners (mean age: 63.9years) enrolled in a clinical trial or the observational study of the Women's Health Initiative between 1993 and 1998. Logistic regression models were used to test for associations between dog ownership and physical activity, adjusted for potential confounders.