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Riding into Health: A Case Study on an Equine-Assisted Childhood Obesity Intervention

Author

Listed:
  • Katy Schroeder

    (Department of Animal and Food Sciences, College of Agricultural and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA)

  • Jason Van Allen

    (Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Texas Tech University; Lubbock, TX 79409, USA)

  • Emily Dhurandhar

    (Department of Kinesiology and Sports Management, College of Arts and Sciences, Texas Tech University; Lubbock, TX 79409, USA)

  • Brittany Lancaster

    (Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Texas Tech University; Lubbock, TX 79409, USA)

  • Zohal Heidari

    (Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Texas Tech University; Lubbock, TX 79409, USA)

  • Kandis Cazenave

    (Department of Animal and Food Sciences, College of Agricultural and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA)

  • Dianna Boone

    (Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Texas Tech University; Lubbock, TX 79409, USA)

  • Phyllis Erdman

    (Department of Kinesiology and Educational Psychology, College of Education, Washington State University; Pullman, WA 99164, USA)

Abstract

In this article, we present an exploratory case study that describes the initial outcomes of the Equine-Assisted Positively Fit (EAPF) program. Children with obesity and their caregivers were recruited to participate in the eight-session program. Results indicated that treatment completers ( n = 2) had a decrease in fat mass and fat mass percentage and an increase in fat-free mass and fat-free mass percentage. Moreover, results from accelerometer measurements of physical activity indicated that participants increased their moderate to vigorous physical activity, as well as reported increased self-efficacy for physical activity. Qualitative data from the post-intervention focus group suggested children perceived the treatment acceptable and enjoyable. Findings from this study provide support for future investigations on the feasibility and potential efficacy of pairing children and their caregivers with horses to accomplish health-related goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Katy Schroeder & Jason Van Allen & Emily Dhurandhar & Brittany Lancaster & Zohal Heidari & Kandis Cazenave & Dianna Boone & Phyllis Erdman, 2019. "Riding into Health: A Case Study on an Equine-Assisted Childhood Obesity Intervention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:23:p:4835-:d:292959
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Adela Hruby & Frank Hu, 2015. "The Epidemiology of Obesity: A Big Picture," PharmacoEconomics, Springer, vol. 33(7), pages 673-689, July.
    2. Rebecca Utz, 2014. "Walking the Dog: The Effect of Pet Ownership on Human Health and Health Behaviors," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 116(2), pages 327-339, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aubrey H. Fine, 2020. "The Psycho-Social Impact of Human-Animal Interactions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-4, June.
    2. María del Carmen Rodríguez-Martínez & Alba De la Plana Maestre & Juan Antonio Armenta-Peinado & Miguel Ángel Barbancho & Natalia García-Casares, 2021. "Evidence of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Neurological Diseases in Adults: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-17, December.

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