The researchers of Michigan State University conducted a study on the habits of dog owners and they found that people who take regular walks with their dogs were 34% more likely to fulfill the physical activity standards set by the Federal Government.

Public health benchmarks suggest people to do any physical activity for at least 150 minutes a week and this study analyzed the amount of leisure time a person gets to do recreational activities such as walking, dancing and gardening. So it could be a much better alternative to spending thousands of dollars on various weight loss pills.

Researchers found that young dog owners were receiving maximum of the benefits whereas middle aged people could spare the least of their time to go for such walks.

The lead researcher, Mathew Reeves, said, “Obviously you would expect dog walkers to walk more, but we found people who walked their dog also had higher overall levels of both moderate and vigorous physical activities. There appears to be a strong link between owning and walking a dog and achieving higher levels of physical activity”.

The study also pointed out that the people who walked their dogs generally walked about an hour longer per week than people who owned dogs but did not walk them.