ArticleThe British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners2010
Type 2 diabetes and dog walking: patients' longitudinal perspectives about implementing and sustaining physical activity.
Article in The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, 2010. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 25 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
25 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 65 citations in OpenAlex.
- Understanding Adult's Experiences and Perceptions of How to Maintain Physical Activity: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Synthesis.International journal of behavioral medicine · 2025Pooled it
- Factors influencing participation in physical activity after dysvascular amputation: a qualitative meta-synthesis.Disability and rehabilitation · 2019Pooled it
- A qualitative synthesis of diabetes self-management strategies for long term medical outcomes and quality of life in the UK.BMC health services research · 2014Pooled it
- A qualitative synthesis of factors influencing maintenance of lifestyle behaviour change in individuals with high cardiovascular risk.BMC cardiovascular disorders · 2013Pooled it
- Optimizing Physical Activity Strategies for Older Adults with Diabetes.Diabetes & metabolism journal · 2025Review
- Article
- Financial incentives in the management of diabetes: a systematic review.Cost effectiveness and resource allocation : C/E · 2024Review
- Pet ownership issues encountered by geriatric professionals: Preliminary findings from an interdisciplinary sample.Frontiers in psychology · 2022Article
- Functional and recreational dog walking practices in the UK.Health promotion international · 2021Article
- Association between dog ownership and type 2 diabetes in later life: the Helsinki birth cohort study.International journal of circumpolar health · 2019Observational
- Digital Diabetes Self-Management: A Trilateral Serial.Journal of diabetes science and technology · 2018Article
- Socio-environmental correlates of physical activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Thorax · 2017Article
- I Walk My Dog Because It Makes Me Happy: A Qualitative Study to Understand Why Dogs Motivate Walking and Improved Health.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2017Article
- Understanding how dogs encourage and motivate walking: cross-sectional findings from RESIDE.BMC public health · 2016Article
- Investigating the psychosocial determinants of physical activity in older adults: A qualitative approach.Psychology & health · 2016Article
- Article
- Association between Responsible Pet Ownership and Glycemic Control in Youths with Type 1 Diabetes.PloS one · 2016Article
- Policies on pets for healthy cities: a conceptual framework.Health promotion international · 2015Article
- Odds of Getting Adequate Physical Activity by Dog Walking.Journal of physical activity & health · 2015Article
- How might we increase physical activity through dog walking?: A comprehensive review of dog walking correlates.The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity · 2014Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundPhysical activity is particularly important for people with type 2 diabetes, as evidence suggests that any reduction in sedentary time is good for metabolic health.
aimTo explore type 2 diabetes patients' talk about implementing and sustaining physical activity. DESIGN OF STUDY: Longitudinal, qualitative study using repeat in-depth interviews with 20 patients over 4 years following clinical diagnosis.
settingPatients were recruited from 16 general practices and three hospitals across Lothian, Scotland.
resultsDiscussion, and salience, of physical activity was marginal in patient accounts of their diabetes management. Patients claimed to have only received vague and non-specific guidance about physical activity from health professionals, and emphasised a perceived lack of interest and encouragement. Aside from walking, physical activities which were adopted tended to attenuate over time. Patients' accounts revealed how walking a dog assisted this kind of activity maintenance over time. Three main themes are highlighted in the analysis: 1) incidental walking; 2) incremental physical activity gains; and 3) augmenting physical activity maintenance. The problems arising from walking without a dog (for example, lack of motivation) are also examined.
conclusionAsking patients about pet preferences might seem tangential to medical interactions. However, encouraging dog walking or identifying another interest that promotes a regular commitment to undertake physical activity may yield long-term health benefits.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.