A dog is an ideal workout partner: always supportive, happy to go for a walk, and never judgmental. When people and dogs exercise together, fitness and health happen on both ends of the leash. As the obesity epidemic spreads, 70 percent of Americans and 50 percent of dogs are overweight or obese, resulting in staggering health care costs and suffering. The causes, consequences, and treatment for the overweight and obese are strikingly similar in people and dogs. Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound, written by an expert veterinary surgeon and leading nurse researcher, helps you move from a food-centered relationship with dogs to an exercise-centered relationship. This volume is designed for dog lovers, dog owners, and families. Based on the latest scientific findings, it will also help professionals (including physicians, veterinarians, and physical therapists) fight obesity and promote fitness in both people and pets. Never has there been a more compelling time for innovative approaches to increasing physical activity, reforming sedentary lifestyles, and enhancing fitness. Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound provides specific strategies for people and dogs to exercise together, lose weight together, and have fun in the process.

Obesity is at epidemic levels worldwide. In the U.S. alone, it is estimated that by 2018 the cost of treating weight-related illnesses will double to almost $350 billion a year. A 2010 report by the U.S. Surgeon General estimates that two-thirds of American adults and almost one in three children are now overweight or obese. Similar statistics emphasize the staggering problem in other industrialized countries. This volume originated in a special 2009 symposium funded in part by a grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD) and sponsorship from Mars-WalthamTM on how human-animal interaction may help fight obesity across the lifespan. It provides systematic presentation of the scientific evidence for this powerful expression of the benefits of the human-animal bond. The volume will be especially valuable as a sourcebook of evidence-based studies for public health professionals treating overweight humans and veterinarians treating obese dogs.

There But for the Grace of Dog Go I ... Author Jan Dunlap was suffering increasingly severe bouts of anxiety after a medical misdiagnosis slapped her in the face with an acute realization of the tenuous nature of human life. A degreed theologian, Jan found her personal faith in God and His promises severely shaken and her enthusiasm for life being replaced by growing fear and debilitating insecurity. Then a rescue-shelter black lab-mix by the name of Gracie came into her life as her daughter's new pet, and Jan determined to do whatever it took to provide both her daughter and the dog with the sense of security she herself no longer felt. She quickly discovered, however, that Gracie had her own agenda, and it was all dog. From chasing squirrels to jumping fences to the occasional roll in dead fish, Gracie taught Jan that life is for living, not dreading. As she began to realize that Gracie was helping her manage her anxiety, Jan also came to a new awareness of how a loving God provides healing through His own works of creation. Part memoir and part medical exploration of the truly healing gifts that God freely offers us through our interaction with animals and nature, Saved by Gracie is a story of God's redeeming love revealed at the paws of a dog.

This book helps pet owners fully understand what it means to care for a companion animal, from choosing a pet to veterinary visits and beyond. Pets are extremely popular in the United States. According to a recent survey, one third of American homes contain one or more cats; almost 40 percent of U.S. households include at least one dog. Pets serve as cherished companions for everyone from young children to senior citizens. However, there are responsibilities and risks involved with pet ownership, and the proper care of these animals that many consider "family" involves much more than keeping a water dish and food bowl full. This book is written by top animal health experts to explain our roles, rights, and health care challenges when bringing animals into our homes. Topics such as health, first aid, companion animal diseases, common surgeries, and alternative care for pets are all addressed. Information is also provided about pet birds, large pets such as horses, exotics such as snakes and reptiles, and "pocket pets" such as hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and rats.

Get your brain fit--and your body will follow! Conventional wisdom has always been that in order to lose weight, you need to eat less and move more. But skyrocketing obesity rates tell us that it's not that simple. If you really want to get in shape and stay that way, you need to start at the top--with your brain. The latest research in neuroscience shows that the brains of overweight people are different than the brains of lean people--and not in a good way. Yet, you can train your brain to think like those skinnier counterparts--and leverage that brainpower to drop those extra pounds for good. In Train Your Brain to Get Thin, you'll learn how to: Control hunger levels to reach and maintain optimum weight Defeat emotional eating at its core Feed the brain the nutrients it needs for optimal performance Trick the brain into working for, not against, weight loss Get "addicted" to exercise, not food And much, much more! Train Your Brain to Get Thin combines the latest research in both neuroscience and human behavior to give you the brain-changing program you need to get fit, look good, and feel great--for life!

Domestic animals are an integral component of human leisure experience and can enhance the physical, social, and mental wellbeing of humans. The interplay of human and animal experiences of justice, wellbeing, rights, and roles within leisure is the central theme of this book. Research explores the position of domesticated animals in human leisure experiences, in a wide array of leisure settings. Chapters question whether domestic animals may have a desire for leisure that is different from human leisure, whether animals have and wish to fulfil needs for meaningful leisure or non-leisure, and whether human leisure needs and desires may coincide or contradict wellbeing interests of animals. This book provides a venue for the dissemination and exploration of research, which champions the welfare and rights of these animals to have their needs and interests in leisure recognised. It moves the debate about animals in leisure beyond the current limits which have seen research mainly confined to the exotic ‘other’ rather than more mundane, everyday domestic animals. This book will be of interest to individuals in the fields of tourism ethics, zoology, animal behaviour, and leisure studies.

Foundations of Physical Activity and Public Health is the first textbook to clearly define the intersection of kinesiology and public health. Authors Kohl and Murray, both leaders in the field, offer a solid introduction to the concepts of public health and kinesiology, the techniques used to measure physical activity, and the health effects of exercise and physical activity. The scientific findings and applications that led to the emergence of the field of physical activity and public health are also examined. Students will come away with a greater understanding of how experts from both fields can work together to advance the use of physical activity for the prevention and treatment of chronic disease and other health issues. Foundations of Physical Activity and Public Health describes how physical activity improves health, including cardiorespiratory and metabolic diseases, overweight and obesity, musculoskeletal disorders, cancers, and mental health. Data on the prevalence and economic costs are presented to demonstrate the scope of the health issues and the importance of addressing them. Information on common testing methods, evidence on the benefits of physical activity, and recommendations for physical activity will give readers the background knowledge for promoting physical activity as a means of improving health. The health risks associated with physical activity are also discussed. Information on the prevalence of problems, the adaptive processes that can help prevent injury, and minimizing risks will prepare students to consider and address safety concerns. The text examines evidence-based strategies for increasing physical activity in individuals and populations using three general approaches: informational, behavioral and social, and environmental and policy. Examples of successful programs from various settings, including community-wide and school-based interventions, help students understand how to apply the theory to practice. Students also learn the concepts of evaluation of physical activity programs as well as logic models, evaluation designs, data collection, and analysis. In addition, building effective partnerships for physical activity programs is discussed alongside real-world initiatives such as the state plan Active Texas 2020, the U.S. National Physical Activity Plan, and the Toronto Charter for Physical Activity. Strategies and models for physical activity advocacy are also addressed. The text features a wealth of pedagogical aids that will enhance students’ learning experience. Chapter-opening summaries and question lists detail key concepts to focus on, case studies and callout boxes provide real-world examples that tie theory to practice, and Key Leader Profile sidebars allow students to explore career options while learning more about individuals who have had a major impact on this emerging field. Each chapter ends with a review of the most important ideas covered, key terms, and study questions that will help students test their recall and develop their understanding of the material. Full bibliographies are provided as well as valuable online resource lists in the E-Media sections. For instructors, ancillaries are available to assist in teaching their courses. Foundations of Physical Activity and Public Health is also an asset to new professionals as well as those preparing for the ACSM/NPAS Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist certification exam. The text addresses the core competencies put forth by NPAS—including partnership development, planning and evaluation, development of effective interventions, and evaluation of scientific data—and is cross-referenced at the end of each chapter for easy review. As the emphasis on physical activity as a tool for improving public health grows, the expertise of professionals with the combined knowledge and skills from both the public health science and exercise science fields will be highly sought. Foundations of Physical Activity and Public Health will help students obtain an overview of the kinesiology and public health areas, understand physical activity applications for public health, learn about career options, and inspire them to choose a career in the emerging field of physical activity and public health.