Meeting PA Recommendations: Generalizability of Dog Walking Programs for Communities

Globally there is growing research investigating dog walking to enable people to meet physical activity (PA) recommendations. Epidemiological evidence suggests people who walk dogs are more likely to meet these recommendations. This paper explores factors facilitating and preventing dog walking among community residents. It will draw upon data from the rapidly expanding global evidence base on dog walking, and refer to findings from 3 of the presenter's studies.

A logic model and discussion of methodological issues of designing and implementing community dog walking programs will be presented. Practical issues associated with dog walking across the lifespan will be discussed (including safety, walking speed, balance, and PA).

Conclusions: Dog walking programs may be both beneficial and generalizable to address inactivity in communities. Such programs may unite a wide range of community resources around the critical issue of increasing PA.