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simonandhallie · 11-13-2006, 06:42 PM

The Hill's People and Pets Exercising Together (P-PET) Study Demonstrates
that a Combined Dog/Owner Partnership Can Help Both Succeed in a Weight
Loss Program

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Findings from a 12-month combined people and pet weight management study will be presented Friday at the 2006 National Prevention Summit held by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, DC.

The People and Pets Exercising Together (P-PET) study by Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Hill's Pet Nutrition, the maker
of Science Diet(R) and Prescription Diet(R) brand pet foods, demonstrates
that people and their pets are both more successful in staying with a
weight loss program when they exercise together. Dr. Dennis Jewell, a
companion animal nutrition expert at Hill's Pet Nutrition, will present
data showing the positive relationship owners developed with their pets
over the course of the year-long study as well as the benefit of the pet in
being a partner during weight loss.
Approximately 65 percent of adult Americans are now overweight or
obese(1), and an estimated 48 million cats and dogs in the U.S. are
overweight or obese -- that's 40 percent of the pet population!(2) To
combat the obesity epidemic, both public health professionals and
veterinarians endorse a proactive approach that includes adoption of
healthy changes in diet and physical activity. The P-PET program is proven
to be a safe, effective, and enjoyable way for people and pets to lose
weight and maintain weight loss. By participating in a weight loss program
with your pet, you can improve the quality of life for you and your pet
through increased exercise, a strengthened human-animal bond, and a fun and
motivating way to trim down together.
Dr. Robert Kushner, Medical Director, Wellness Institute, Northwestern
Memorial Hospital and Professor of Medicine, Northwestern University
Feinberg School of Medicine explains, "We devised a state-of-the-art weight
management program based on previous studies that show that people are more
effective at losing weight and maintaining that weight loss when they do it
with a friend or companion. The P-PET study proves that a faithful pet
provides effective social support for losing weight and maintaining weight
for up to one year."
The 12-month P-PET study consisted of three groups of overweight
participants: a dog/owner group (36 people and their dogs), a dog-only
group (53 dogs), and a people-only group (56 people). The purpose of the
study was to compare the efficacy of weight loss programs for dog-only and
people-only groups to that of a combined dog/owner weight loss program for
both weight loss and weight maintenance.
During the study, dogs were fed a low-fat, nutritionally balanced food,
Hill's Prescription Diet(R) r/d(R) Canine, which is specially formulated to
help dogs lose weight while keeping them feeling satisfied. In addition,
pet owners with dogs in the study were provided with a suggested exercise
plan (i.e., 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity at least
three days per week) and a regular weigh-in schedule. When the ideal body
weight was achieved, the dogs were changed to Hill's Prescription Diet(R)
w/d(R) food until the 12-month study was completed. People were provided
with meal plans and pedometers and were instructed on personality lifestyle
pattern behavioral strategies to control dietary calories and increase
physical activities.
Over the course of the 12-month study, both people and dogs lost weight
and kept it off: people lost an average of 11 pounds (approximately 5.5
percent of their initial body weight) and dogs lost an average of 12 pounds
(approximately 15.9 percent of their initial body weight). The maximum
weight loss for dogs was 35 pounds; for people, the maximum loss was 51
pounds. Participants gained the confidence and the motivation to stick to a
specific diet and exercise strategies and succeed at weight loss-not just
for the moment but for the long term.
Roseann and her dog, Spats, one of the many people and pet pairs who
succeeded at losing weight on the P-PET program, learned first-hand how
working together could help them both get fit and drop pounds, while
spending quality time together. Roseann lost 30 pounds and Spats lost 13
pounds -- that's 15 percent of his initial body weight!
"Caring for and loving my dog is what motivated me to be a part of this
program," says Roseann. "It is a real lifestyle change. We worked together,
lost weight and kept it off over the course of a year, and now there's no
turning back!"
The combined dog/owner weight loss program was found to be more
effective at maintaining participation than the program in which dogs
dieted separately: 80 percent of the dogs in the combined dog/owner group
completed the study, versus 68 percent of the dogs-only group. The combined
dog/owner group reported a greater improvement in their quality of life
(P<0.05) and the quality of life of their pets. Two-thirds of the increase
in physical activity in the combined dog/owner group was obtained by
engaging in dog-related activities.
"People really enjoy spending time with their dogs, and our P-PET study
demonstrates that dogs provide the companionship, social support, and
motivation to stick with the program until the pounds come off and stay
off," says Dr. Jewell. "This just might be the ultimate buddy system for
winning the battle of the bulge!"
About Hill's Pet Nutrition
Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. manufactures Science Diet(R) brand pet
foods, sold through veterinarians and finer pet specialty food stores, and
Prescription Diet(R) brand pet foods, therapeutic pet foods available only
through veterinarians. Founded more than 50 years ago by one veterinarian's
unique commitment to pet nutrition and well being, Hill's follows its
mission to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between
people and their pets by producing the most scientifically advanced,
highest quality pet foods available. Schedule a visit with your
veterinarian and ask which Hill's product is best for your pet's
nutritional needs. Visit HillsPet.com for more information about the full
line of Hill's pet foods.
Contacts: Liz Lane
Euro RSCG Life PR
Office: (212) 845-4236
Cell: (617) 512-1618
liz.lane@eurorscg.com

Elizabeth Baxter
Euro RSCG Life PR
Office: (212) 845-4212
elizabeth.baxter@eurorscg.com

(1) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Retrieved on October 2, 2006 from
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/faq.htm.

(2) "Overweight Pets Are on the Rise," Veterinary Economics.
August 1, 2005.

SOURCE Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.

11-13-2006, 06:42 PM	#1
simonandhallie *I Love My Monkeys!* Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Falling Waters, WV Posts: 11,166	[NEWS] Study about Exercising and Pets The Hill's People and Pets Exercising Together (P-PET) Study Demonstrates that a Combined Dog/Owner Partnership Can Help Both Succeed in a Weight Loss Program WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Findings from a 12-month combined people and pet weight management study will be presented Friday at the 2006 National Prevention Summit held by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, DC. The People and Pets Exercising Together (P-PET) study by Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Hill's Pet Nutrition, the maker of Science Diet(R) and Prescription Diet(R) brand pet foods, demonstrates that people and their pets are both more successful in staying with a weight loss program when they exercise together. Dr. Dennis Jewell, a companion animal nutrition expert at Hill's Pet Nutrition, will present data showing the positive relationship owners developed with their pets over the course of the year-long study as well as the benefit of the pet in being a partner during weight loss. Approximately 65 percent of adult Americans are now overweight or obese(1), and an estimated 48 million cats and dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese -- that's 40 percent of the pet population!(2) To combat the obesity epidemic, both public health professionals and veterinarians endorse a proactive approach that includes adoption of healthy changes in diet and physical activity. The P-PET program is proven to be a safe, effective, and enjoyable way for people and pets to lose weight and maintain weight loss. By participating in a weight loss program with your pet, you can improve the quality of life for you and your pet through increased exercise, a strengthened human-animal bond, and a fun and motivating way to trim down together. Dr. Robert Kushner, Medical Director, Wellness Institute, Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Professor of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine explains, "We devised a state-of-the-art weight management program based on previous studies that show that people are more effective at losing weight and maintaining that weight loss when they do it with a friend or companion. The P-PET study proves that a faithful pet provides effective social support for losing weight and maintaining weight for up to one year." The 12-month P-PET study consisted of three groups of overweight participants: a dog/owner group (36 people and their dogs), a dog-only group (53 dogs), and a people-only group (56 people). The purpose of the study was to compare the efficacy of weight loss programs for dog-only and people-only groups to that of a combined dog/owner weight loss program for both weight loss and weight maintenance. During the study, dogs were fed a low-fat, nutritionally balanced food, Hill's Prescription Diet(R) r/d(R) Canine, which is specially formulated to help dogs lose weight while keeping them feeling satisfied. In addition, pet owners with dogs in the study were provided with a suggested exercise plan (i.e., 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity at least three days per week) and a regular weigh-in schedule. When the ideal body weight was achieved, the dogs were changed to Hill's Prescription Diet(R) w/d(R) food until the 12-month study was completed. People were provided with meal plans and pedometers and were instructed on personality lifestyle pattern behavioral strategies to control dietary calories and increase physical activities. Over the course of the 12-month study, both people and dogs lost weight and kept it off: people lost an average of 11 pounds (approximately 5.5 percent of their initial body weight) and dogs lost an average of 12 pounds (approximately 15.9 percent of their initial body weight). The maximum weight loss for dogs was 35 pounds; for people, the maximum loss was 51 pounds. Participants gained the confidence and the motivation to stick to a specific diet and exercise strategies and succeed at weight loss-not just for the moment but for the long term. Roseann and her dog, Spats, one of the many people and pet pairs who succeeded at losing weight on the P-PET program, learned first-hand how working together could help them both get fit and drop pounds, while spending quality time together. Roseann lost 30 pounds and Spats lost 13 pounds -- that's 15 percent of his initial body weight! "Caring for and loving my dog is what motivated me to be a part of this program," says Roseann. "It is a real lifestyle change. We worked together, lost weight and kept it off over the course of a year, and now there's no turning back!" The combined dog/owner weight loss program was found to be more effective at maintaining participation than the program in which dogs dieted separately: 80 percent of the dogs in the combined dog/owner group completed the study, versus 68 percent of the dogs-only group. The combined dog/owner group reported a greater improvement in their quality of life (P<0.05) and the quality of life of their pets. Two-thirds of the increase in physical activity in the combined dog/owner group was obtained by engaging in dog-related activities. "People really enjoy spending time with their dogs, and our P-PET study demonstrates that dogs provide the companionship, social support, and motivation to stick with the program until the pounds come off and stay off," says Dr. Jewell. "This just might be the ultimate buddy system for winning the battle of the bulge!" About Hill's Pet Nutrition Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. manufactures Science Diet(R) brand pet foods, sold through veterinarians and finer pet specialty food stores, and Prescription Diet(R) brand pet foods, therapeutic pet foods available only through veterinarians. Founded more than 50 years ago by one veterinarian's unique commitment to pet nutrition and well being, Hill's follows its mission to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets by producing the most scientifically advanced, highest quality pet foods available. Schedule a visit with your veterinarian and ask which Hill's product is best for your pet's nutritional needs. Visit HillsPet.com for more information about the full line of Hill's pet foods. Contacts: Liz Lane Euro RSCG Life PR Office: (212) 845-4236 Cell: (617) 512-1618 liz.lane@eurorscg.com Elizabeth Baxter Euro RSCG Life PR Office: (212) 845-4212 elizabeth.baxter@eurorscg.com (1) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved on October 2, 2006 from http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/faq.htm. (2) "Overweight Pets Are on the Rise," Veterinary Economics. August 1, 2005. SOURCE Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.