Event Title
Health problems of obesity in pets: One Health approach for prevention
Location
Suwanee, GA
Start Date
10-5-2021 12:00 AM
End Date
14-5-2021 12:00 AM
Description
The prevalence of obesity in humans and pets has seen a rapid increase within the past thirty years. Worldwide, approximately 59% of dogs and cats are overweight. This ranks obesity as one of the most common medical disorders in veterinary medicine. Obesity significantly increases one’s risk of developing numerous health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, as well as both kidney and liver disease. Further, being overweight or obese decreases the quality of life of both humans and pets by negatively influencing their overall health status and causing physical impairments and disabilities. Pets suffering from undiagnosed diabetes may experience increased urination, weight loss, cloudy eyes, and recurring infections. Arthritis causes pain, decreased mobility, and decreased ability to play or carry out other natural behaviors such as grooming themselves. The complex genetic, socioeconomic, and environmental factors that play an important role in the development of obesity in humans influences the relationship that people have with their pets. Treatment options for obesity in humans and pets include comprehensive lifestyle modifications, pharmacological interventions, surgery, and behavioral modifications. Initial treatment goals should implement lifestyle modifications focusing on greater energy expenditure than consumption over the course of an individualized duration of therapy. Failures in initial therapy may deem pharmacological and/or surgical procedures appropriate, depending on patient and disease factors. Programs to promote physical activity can be created by taking the human-animal bond into consideration to combat obesity. Additionally, focusing on the comparative and translational research using dogs or cats will help scientists not only understand etiological and physiological differences in obesity but also to develop new approaches for the prevention and treatment. Human and veterinary healthcare providers should communicate more effectively with their patients/pet owners to discuss One Health opportunities in combating this global problem.
Embargo Period
6-28-2021
Health problems of obesity in pets: One Health approach for prevention
Suwanee, GA
The prevalence of obesity in humans and pets has seen a rapid increase within the past thirty years. Worldwide, approximately 59% of dogs and cats are overweight. This ranks obesity as one of the most common medical disorders in veterinary medicine. Obesity significantly increases one’s risk of developing numerous health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, as well as both kidney and liver disease. Further, being overweight or obese decreases the quality of life of both humans and pets by negatively influencing their overall health status and causing physical impairments and disabilities. Pets suffering from undiagnosed diabetes may experience increased urination, weight loss, cloudy eyes, and recurring infections. Arthritis causes pain, decreased mobility, and decreased ability to play or carry out other natural behaviors such as grooming themselves. The complex genetic, socioeconomic, and environmental factors that play an important role in the development of obesity in humans influences the relationship that people have with their pets. Treatment options for obesity in humans and pets include comprehensive lifestyle modifications, pharmacological interventions, surgery, and behavioral modifications. Initial treatment goals should implement lifestyle modifications focusing on greater energy expenditure than consumption over the course of an individualized duration of therapy. Failures in initial therapy may deem pharmacological and/or surgical procedures appropriate, depending on patient and disease factors. Programs to promote physical activity can be created by taking the human-animal bond into consideration to combat obesity. Additionally, focusing on the comparative and translational research using dogs or cats will help scientists not only understand etiological and physiological differences in obesity but also to develop new approaches for the prevention and treatment. Human and veterinary healthcare providers should communicate more effectively with their patients/pet owners to discuss One Health opportunities in combating this global problem.