Body weight management Flashcards
What factors are important when considering obesity management
- diet
- owner recognition
- realistic goals
- dog-owner relationship
Energy intake is equal to
Energy intake = RMR + voluntary activity + TEF
Internal signals that affect energy intake
- gastric distension
- physiological response to stimuli
- physiological satiety and hunger cues
External signals that affect energy intake
- food availability
- timing and size of meals
- food composition and texture
- diet palatability
Food intake + food expenditure –>
weight gain, weight maintenance or weight loss
factors affecting resting metabolic rate
- reduced energy intake
- genetics
- disease
- fat free mass
- hormonal status
- extreme temperature
- hindgut microflora
- age
- growth
- sleep
% of cats that are overweight
53%
% of dogs that are overweight
55%
What factors affect weight control
- compliance
- works great in clinical studies, but ~20% compliance - excess intake
- weight is associated with owner perception of use of treats and favourite food - owner factors
- obese dogs are treated differently and have a different “role” than normal weight dogs
- obese dogs were anthropomorphized to a greater extent - competitive eating in multi-pet households
- physical activity
- play –> leaner pets
Methods of obtaining + or - energy balance
- dietary energy management throughout life cycle through dietary energy intake and energy output
- monitoring of BW and body composition (observe and alter feed intake –> 3/5)
- owner education (on lifespan and quality of life)
- reasonable and safe guidelines
Bench mark in energy requirements
maintenance
- important to understand management
- make thoughtful adjustments and look at sensitivity to gain/lose weight
Energy requirement for late gestation
1.25-1.5 x maintenance
Energy requirement for lactation
3 x maintenance
Energy requirement for prolonged physical work
2-4 x maintenance
Decreased environmental temperature
1.2-1.8 x maintenance
Energy requirement for cats
ME = K x BW K = 50 for sedentary; 60 = active; 70 = very active
Tools used to monitor body condition in dogs/cats
- dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)
2. assessment if lean body tissue
Dual energy x-ray absorptimetry (DEXA)
- measures fat mass
- differentiates between fat and lean mass (tissue and muscle)
Assessment of lean body tissue
- helps to determine body condition score
- separately evaluate muscle mass (palpate muscle over axial skeleton, bony prominences)
Other tools owners use to monitor body condition?
- home scales (typically not accurate for small dogs/cats)
- “ideal body weights” are usually a subjective guess
What should be involved in educating an owner on wellness?
- education (consumer/owner on importance of maintaining lean BW)
- repetition
- encouragement (what get’s better between family and animal?)
- “tact” (talk about the animal without actually referring to them)