{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,25]],"date-time":"2026-03-25T15:06:37Z","timestamp":1774451197002,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":68,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,26]],"date-time":"2025-12-26T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1766707200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Nutrients"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Introduction: \u201cThe dog is a man\u2019s best friend\u201d and research has showed that this idea is extended beyond the degree of loyalty. Dog ownership has been linked to several positive health outcomes for the owner. The aim of the present cross-sectional case\u2013control study was to assess differences in the physical activity level (PAL), body composition, quality of life (QoL), and diet quality and dietary knowledge between dog owners and non-owners. Methods: A total of 55 dog owners and an equal amount of non-dog owners (all aged between 18 and 60 years old) formed the case and control groups, respectively. Basic anthropometric measurements were performed, including body fat (BF) and diet, assessed with the Mediterranean Diet Score (MedDietScore) and the Eating Assessment Table (EAT). Physical activity was recorded for 3 consecutive days using activity monitors. QoL was evaluated using the brief version of the World Health Organization QoL (WHOQOL-BREF) tool. Results: The two groups demonstrated a similar PAL, but lower BF% (p = 0.009), hip circumference (p &lt; 0.001), triceps (p = 0.012), and subscapular skinfolds (p = 0.003) were recorded among dog owners. The EAT score was greater among dog owners (p = 0.0023), indicating improved dietary intake and knowledge, even after adjustment for education attained and BMI (p = 0.026). On the other hand, greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet was exhibited among those not having dogs (p = 0.018). Regarding dog measurements and their owners\u2019 anthropometry, dog neck circumference was negatively correlated to the owners\u2019 biceps and triceps skinfolds (r = \u22120.327, p = 0.016; r = \u22120.320, p = 0.018, respectively). Additionally, dog breed size was negatively correlated to the owners\u2019 triceps skinfold (r = \u22120.325, p = 0.015), sum of skinfolds (r = \u22120.311, p = 0.021), hip circumference (r = \u22120.341, p = 0.011), body fat (r = \u22120.357, p = 0.007), and fat mass index (r = \u22120.307, p = 0.023). Conclusions: Dog ownership is associated with improved body composition and smaller skinfold thickness at specific body sites, as well as with a more health-conscious lifestyle, including better diet quality and knowledge.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/nu18010078","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,29]],"date-time":"2025-12-29T07:52:59Z","timestamp":1766994779000},"page":"78","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Dog Owners Exhibit Better Diet Quality but Similar Physical Activity Compared to Non-Owners: A Case-Control Study"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"18","author":[{"given":"Konstantinos","family":"Margaritis","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Nutritional Sciences & Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, Alexander Campus, Sindos, P.O. Box 141, GR-57400 Thessaloniki, Greece"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Marilena","family":"Perantonaki","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Nutritional Sciences & Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, Alexander Campus, Sindos, P.O. Box 141, GR-57400 Thessaloniki, Greece"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Katerina","family":"Pyrga","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Nutritional Sciences & Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, Alexander Campus, Sindos, P.O. Box 141, GR-57400 Thessaloniki, Greece"},{"name":"Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, 70 El. Venizelou Avenue, Kallithea, GR-17671 Athens, Greece"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7864-5349","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Eleni","family":"Pardali","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Immunonutrition Unit, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, GR-41223 Larissa, Greece"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4868-9620","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Dimitrios","family":"Poulimeneas","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, 70 El. Venizelou Avenue, Kallithea, GR-17671 Athens, Greece"},{"name":"Department of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, University of the Peloponnese, Antikalamos, GR-24100 Kalamata, Greece"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5005-1995","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Dimitrios","family":"Goulis","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Maria","family":"Tsigga","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Nutritional Sciences & Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, Alexander Campus, Sindos, P.O. Box 141, GR-57400 Thessaloniki, Greece"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4167-6595","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Maria","family":"Grammatikopoulou","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Immunonutrition Unit, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, GR-41223 Larissa, Greece"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,26]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","first-page":"1675","article-title":"Human-Animal Bond Issues","volume":"212","author":"Wollrab","year":"1998","journal-title":"J. Am. Vet. Med. 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