Weight Management Program Links People and Pets

A new and unique weight management study is underway for both people and their pets.

The Wellness Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and Hill's Pet Nutrition are launching People and Pets Exercising Together (PPET). The new program has people and their pets dining, exercising and weighing-in together.

"Obesity is a health epidemic affecting not just people but also millions of pets nationwide," said Dr. Robert Kushner, Medical Director, Wellness Institute and Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University Medical School. "The causes and health risks associated with being overweight or obese are similar in people and pets. The fact is the accumulation of fat is caused by the same factors -- increased calorie consumption and reduced physical activity. This in turn translates to a much greater risk of heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and unfortunately a shortened life span."

The PPET study will focus on increased effectiveness in weight loss of both overweight people and overweight dogs when they participate in a combined treatment program. The program will include 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each day with a portion and caloric control of food. Dogs in the program will eat a low fat, nutritionally balanced food that is formulated to increase fat metabolism.

"There's a lot of clinical evidence to suggest that people are more effective at losing weight and maintaining that weight loss when they do it with a friend or companion. And what better, more reliable friend is there than a faithful canine," said Kushner. "That's why we believe that owners and pets following a controlled, state of the art weight management program such as we've devised, can fight and win the battle of the bulge together."

Other sources: Wellness Institute, Northwestern Memorial Hospital