Table. Former White House Presidential First Dogs (Adapted from PresidentialPetMuseum.com)

The First Dog serves many roles – the only confidant guaranteed to be available 24/7, to listen without lobbying for pet projects, and to never leak sensitive information to the Press. Fido is also Nature’s perfect “personal trainer” – never having an excuse for skipping exercise.

Among the many problems facing President Obama is the growing global epidemic of obesity, affecting about one in every three to four adults in the United States and Europe. Obesity is also affects Asia, with one in every five adults overweight or obese in China. According to World Health Organization statistics, about 1.6 billion adults are overweight globally, and at least 400 million are obese. Eating habits and low activity both contribute to this growing crisis. In 2008, the US Department of Labor reported that only 16 percent of Americans ages 15 and older exercised at all on an average day! This is where your “canine personal trainer” can help.

Exercising with Dixie

According to the Humane Society, 4 in every 10 homes have their own “canine personal trainer” on staff. Dog owners tend to get more exercise than non-owners. The California Health Interview Survey (published in the March 2008 issue of the Journal of Physical Activity and Health) found that dog owners were 60 percent more likely to walk for leisure than people who didn’t own dogs. Dog owners walked almost 20 minutes more each week than people without dogs. A Canadian survey published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in February 2006 reported than Canadian dog owners walked an average of 300 minutes each week compared with 170 minutes for people without dogs.

And walking our dogs – big or small – can lead to better health and less obesity. The journal Preventive Medicine in September 2008 reported that dog owners who walked their dogs were almost 25 percent less likely to be obese than people without dogs. Furthermore, the April 2008 issue of Health Promotion Journal of Australia described how having a dog in the house reduced the risk of childhood obesity by half!

Tips for exercising with Lady

• If you or your dog have health problems or are seniors, check with your doctor and veterinarian before starting a new exercise program.
• You don’t need to have a dog who likes to run or jog. Taking 2-3 shorter 10 to15 minute walks a day will give you better health benefits than one long walk. And you’ll be more likely to stick with a program of shorter walks.
• Vary your walks – look for new places or new routes to explore.

If, like the Obamas, you don’t have a dog, you can still benefit from dog walking by:

• Walking the neighbor’s terrier.
• Volunteering to walk dogs at your local animal shelter.
• If you’re considering getting your own dog, check out websites to see what breed is most compatible with you and your lifestyle, such as SelectSmart.com

So be presidential – make Toby your canine fitness trainer today and start on the road to a healthier, more active life!

Article contributed by regular guest blogger Dawn A. Marcus.

About the author: Dawn A. Marcus, MD is a medical doctor and professor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She also serves as medical expert to Del Monte’s Power of Paws program, which promotes better human health through pet companionship. She is an internationally-recognized speaker, educator, and author, receiving the National Headache Foundation Media Excellence Award. Dr. Marcus has written nine medical books, including her latest book, Fit As Fido: Follow Your Dog to Better Health. Visit her websites www.dawnmarcusmd.com and www.fitasfido.com.