Obesity—A Growing Problem Across Species
Obesity is a prime example of a medical condition that affects a variety of species, especially when the species share similar habits and environments. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 71 percent of Americans over the age of 20 are overweight or obese. And according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 56 percent of dogs and 60 percent of cats are overweight or obese. Obesity is also increasing in horses.
Obesity in both people and animals is complex and involves multiple factors, including genetic and environmental risk factors, diet, level of physical activity, stress level, and other lifestyle behaviors. But the basic cause is the same across species: there’s an energy imbalance where too many calories are consumed or too few calories are burned. More people and their pets are living a less physically active lifestyle but still eating an energy-rich diet.
Obesity goes a lot further than skin deep. It’s a major health hazard for all creatures, increasing the risk for several potentially serious health problems. Disorders linked to obesity in pets include:
- Orthopedic problems, such as osteoarthritis, torn or ruptured cruciate ligaments in the knees, and slipped disks in the back;
- Laminitis in horses, also called founder (a painful cause of lameness in which the delicate tissues that connect the small bone within a horse’s hoof to the inside of the hoof wall become inflamed and damaged);
- Breathing problems;
- Urinary and reproductive disorders;
- Some types of cancer;
- Type 2 diabetes in cats;
- Fatty liver disease in cats and horses;
- A decreased ability to handle heat;
- Increased risk of having anesthetic and surgical complications; and
- A shortened lifespan.
Overweight and obese pets lose out, both in terms of health-related quality of life and life expectancy.
In 2013, the American Medical Association officially recognized obesity as a disease in people that requires medical attention. And although obesity is the most common nutritional disorder of dogs and cats in Western countries, the veterinary profession has been slow to formally call it a disease. That may change soon, however, as there’s a growing push to follow “our human counterparts’ move” and recognize pet obesity as a disease, said Dr. Ward, the founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.
Significant parallels exist between people and animals regarding the causes of obesity, its associated complications, and how to prevent and manage obesity in patients. Preventing obesity—through a balanced diet and regular exercise—should be a priority in both human and veterinary medicine.
Managing obesity in both people and pets involves a healthy diet, calorie restriction, and regular exercise. Sometimes, weight loss drugs are prescribed. FDA has approved several weight loss drugs for people, and one drug, Slentrol (dirlotapide), is FDA-approved to manage obesity in dogs.
The biggest hurdle for both pets and people isn’t the initial weight loss; the real challenge is maintaining the lower body weight by sustained long-term lifestyle changes. For owners who are also overweight or obese, the human-animal bond can motivate them to stick to a healthy lifestyle. There is great value in people and pets exercising together. For example, people who have a dog are more likely to get exercise from walking, which in turn may help prevent a number of obesity-related disorders in both the owner and the dog. The benefits are clearly mutual!
Helping pet owners develop a healthy lifestyle for themselves and their four-legged companions is at the heart of a One Health approach to obesity.
Source: Food and Drug Administration (FDA)