The Responsibility of Veterinarians to Address Companion Animal Obesity
Obesity is a modern-day epidemic in both people and companion animals. A summary of the current research on the causes, risk factors, consequences, and implications of overweight and obesity, and the compliance of small-animal practitioners in recognizing and addressing pet obesity, is provided. Eth...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2018-08-01
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| Series: | Animals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/8/9/143 |
| _version_ | 1830372522963501056 |
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| author | Barry S. Kipperman Alexander J. German |
| author_facet | Barry S. Kipperman Alexander J. German |
| author_sort | Barry S. Kipperman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Obesity is a modern-day epidemic in both people and companion animals. A summary of the current research on the causes, risk factors, consequences, and implications of overweight and obesity, and the compliance of small-animal practitioners in recognizing and addressing pet obesity, is provided. Ethical and animal welfare concerns are raised regarding these findings. We argue that a patient advocacy posture compels the veterinary profession to confront this issue more reliably. Evidence is presented to support obesity as a One-Health problem, and discrete and practical recommendations for preventing and addressing companion animal obesity are proposed. The One-Health perspective encourages coordinated action by veterinary healthcare professionals in order to address overweight and obesity in companion animals as a public health concern. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T07:04:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dfb2f6ae5c8c45f1aa619dda6fdd2b00 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T07:04:26Z |
| publishDate | 2018-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-dfb2f6ae5c8c45f1aa619dda6fdd2b002022-12-21T19:49:07ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152018-08-018914310.3390/ani8090143ani8090143The Responsibility of Veterinarians to Address Companion Animal ObesityBarry S. Kipperman0Alexander J. German1Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO 65211, USAInstitute of Ageing & Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Neston CH60 5SZ, UKObesity is a modern-day epidemic in both people and companion animals. A summary of the current research on the causes, risk factors, consequences, and implications of overweight and obesity, and the compliance of small-animal practitioners in recognizing and addressing pet obesity, is provided. Ethical and animal welfare concerns are raised regarding these findings. We argue that a patient advocacy posture compels the veterinary profession to confront this issue more reliably. Evidence is presented to support obesity as a One-Health problem, and discrete and practical recommendations for preventing and addressing companion animal obesity are proposed. The One-Health perspective encourages coordinated action by veterinary healthcare professionals in order to address overweight and obesity in companion animals as a public health concern.http://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/8/9/143ethicsobesitycommunicationadvocacyone health |
| spellingShingle | Barry S. Kipperman Alexander J. German The Responsibility of Veterinarians to Address Companion Animal Obesity Animals ethics obesity communication advocacy one health |
| title | The Responsibility of Veterinarians to Address Companion Animal Obesity |
| title_full | The Responsibility of Veterinarians to Address Companion Animal Obesity |
| title_fullStr | The Responsibility of Veterinarians to Address Companion Animal Obesity |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Responsibility of Veterinarians to Address Companion Animal Obesity |
| title_short | The Responsibility of Veterinarians to Address Companion Animal Obesity |
| title_sort | responsibility of veterinarians to address companion animal obesity |
| topic | ethics obesity communication advocacy one health |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/8/9/143 |
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