Angela L. Lusby

Size of food bowl and scoop affects amount of food owners feed their dogs

The incidence of canine obesity appears to be increasing dramatically and understanding factors impacting the amount of food pet owners provide their dogs may improve weight management. Human research has shown the size of food bowls, plates and utensils can significantly impact the amount of food portioned and consumed. This effect can be attributed to both the Delboeuf optical illusion and the Ebbinghaus-Titchener size-contrast illusion. To investigate the existence of a similar effect with dog owners, 54 dogs and their owners were recruited for a four treatment randomized prospective trial. Owners scooped out a normal kibble-based meal using a small bowl and small scoop, small bowl and large scoop, large bowl and small scoop or a large bowl and large scoop. Each treatment was used once per owner over four visits. Repeated measures anova revealed the mean amount of food portioned using the small bowl and small scoop was significantly less than all other bowl and scoop combinations (150.7 g vs. 171.5 g vs. 172.7 g vs. 184.5 g, p < 0.05). The small bowl and large scoop combination did not differ from large bowl and small scoop (171.5 g vs. 172.7 g, p > 0.05). Owners were more likely to portion a larger amount of food with a large bowl and large scoop. Results are consistent with human data and emphasize the need for owners to use standard measuring cups. Results also suggest owner compliance during weight loss programs may be improved with smaller bowls and serving scoops.

The role of key adipokines in obesity and insulin resistance in cats

JAVMA, Vol 235, No. 5, September 1, 2009 O and diabetes mellitus are reaching epidemic proportions in humans throughout the world, and this crisis is reflected in the pet population. The prevalence of overweight and obese cats in the United States has increased almost 30% during the past 25 to 30 years. This dramatic increase in obesity coincides with an increase in the rate of diabetes mellitus among pet cats. In North America, prevalence of diabetes in cats has increased from 8 cases/10,000 cats in 1970 to 124 cases/10,000 cats in 1999. Because more pet cats are becoming overweight, it is important for researchers and veterinarians to focus on new preventive and treatment measures for obesity and diabetes in cats. Reviewing the literature on research in humans and rodents will enable clinicians and researchers to understand the complex physiologic processes of obesity and apply this knowledge to affected cats. During the past 15 years, immense research efforts in human medicine have focused on obesity as a disease and the role of adipose tissue in the pathologic process of obesity. Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ, and nearly 100 proteins are secreted by adipocytes. Proteins, hormones, and cytokines derived from adipose tissue are called adipokines. Although many adipokines have been discovered, extensive research has been conducted on only a handful of physiologically important compounds. Among these are leptin, TNF-α, and adiponectin.