People, pets join forces to battle the bulge

Chicago-

Obesity is a common denominator among people and their pets. Now experts plan to use the facts to support a novel weight loss management program.

The Wellness Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago andHill's Pet Nutrition are jointly launching a new weight loss program thatwill involve people and their pets, called People and Pets Exercising Together(PPET). The program encourages people and dogs to dine together, exercisetogether and participate in weigh-ins together.

Statistics show that more than 60 percent of the U.S. adult populationand their 60 million cats and dogs (50 percent of the pet population) aretipping the scales.

"Obesity is a health epidemic affecting not just people but alsomillions of pets nationwide," says Dr. Robert Kushner, medical directorof the Wellness Institute, Northwestern Memorial Hospital. "The causesand health risks associated with being overweight or obese are similar inpeople and pets. The fact is the accumulation of fat is caused by the samefactors - increased calorie consumption and reduced physical activity."

The new program will involve people and their dogs in 30 minutes of moderateintensity physical activity a day, as well as with portion and caloric controlof food.

"There's a lot of clinical evidence to suggest that people are moreeffective at losing weight and maintaining that weight loss when they doit with a friend or companion," says Kushner. "And what better,more reliable friend is there than a faithful canine? That's why we believethat owners and pets following a controlled, state of the art weight managementprogram such as we've devised can fight and win the battle of the bulgetogether."