Journal article

Pet ownership and adolescent health: Cross-sectional population study

M Mathers, L Canterford, T Olds, E Waters, M Wake

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health | WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC | Published : 2010

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether adolescent health and well-being are associated with having a pet in the household (any pet, or specifically dogs, cats or horses/ponies) or average daily time spent caring for/playing with pet(s). Methods: Design, setting and participants- Cross-sectional data from the third wave of the Health of Young Victorians Study (HOYVS), a school-based population study in Victoria, Australia. Predictors- Adolescent-reported pet ownership and average daily time spent caring for/playing with pet(s). Outcomes - Self-reported quality of life (KIDSCREEN); average 4-day daily physical activity level from a computerised diary; parent-proxy and self-reported physical and psych..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Awarded by Australian National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC)


Funding Acknowledgements

The third wave of the Health of Young Victorians Study was funded by Australian National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Project Grant 334 303. Melissa Wake is supported by NHMRC Career Development Award 284 556, and Elizabeth Waters by a VicHealth Public Health Research Fellowship. The researchers were independent of the funders and do not have any relevant financial interests in the manuscript. The funding organisations did not have a role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; or in the preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript.