Tag Archives: overeating

Breeds Most Prone to Overeating, According to Study

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If your dog is overweight, it’s important to note that certain breeds are more prone to this issue than others. According to recent studies.

Researchers from Texas A&M University assessed “food motivation” by surveying over 15,000 dog owners about their pets’ eating habits and reviewing veterinary records regarding the dogs’ weights.

This assessment showed that dogs identified as overweight by vets indicated a strong preference for food.

The study revealed that sporting breeds, such as spaniels, retrievers, setters, and pointers, were 10% more likely to exhibit higher food motivation scores than mixed-breed dogs, with Labradors and Golden Retrievers making up the majority.

Hound breeds came in second, with a 5.3% increased risk of food motivation compared to mixed breeds. This group included Greyhounds, Dachshunds, Beagles, and Basset Hounds.

On the other hand, non-sporting breeds showed a lower likelihood, with scores 4.1% less than mixed breeds. Common breeds in this category included poodles, bulldogs, Dalmatians, and terriers.

“Overweight dogs face various health risks, including skin diseases, diabetes, and arthritis,” noted Dr. Kate Creevey, Chief Veterinary Officer of The Dog Aging Project and Professor of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University.

“It’s crucial for veterinarians to understand the factors influencing dog obesity, including social, environmental, and demographic contexts.

The likelihood of a dog being overweight can vary by breed, with larger dogs generally exhibiting higher food motivation scores than smaller ones.

Moreover, dogs residing in urban areas are more susceptible to weight gain compared to their rural counterparts.

Additionally, dogs living in multi-pet households face a greater risk of obesity than those in single-pet environments, possibly due to less individualized attention from humans.

“These variables can impact a dog’s exercise levels and food access,” Creevey explained. “Some dogs may seek out food due to boredom, especially in settings with limited opportunities for exercise and engagement.

“Furthermore, owners with multiple dogs may adopt specific feeding practices, such as free feeding, which increases food availability.”

Hound breeds show a 5.3% likelihood of a higher food motivation score, indicating overweight – Credit: Wakira via Getty

To determine the food motivation score for each dog, owners filled out a survey detailing their pets’ food responses, pickiness, bloating, and general food interest.

This data was combined with veterinary assessments of each dog’s “physical condition,” where vets evaluated areas like the ribs and hips to determine the amount of fat relative to size.

This evaluation aids in calculating the dog’s physical condition score (BCS).

“BCS is essential for helping veterinarians discuss weight issues with pet owners, so it’s important to increase the use of these scores,” Creevy stated.

If your Irish Setter seems a bit heavy, what’s the solution? Creevy mentioned that weight loss interventions can frequently falter if the veterinarian and owner aren’t aligned.

“Based on our study, some breeds may need stricter feeding guidelines,” she added.

Thus, researchers recommend consulting your veterinarian for personalized advice tailored to your furry friends.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Bright Seifert Galaxy’s Ultra-Massive Black Hole Exhibits Signs of “Overeating”

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In a new research paper published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, astronomers from the University of Leicester explain for the first time how the “excessive diet” of fresh material in black holes has led to emissions reaching nearly a third of the speed of light.

This image illustrates Seyfert Galaxy PG1211+143. Image credits: Centre Donna Astromyk destrasbourg/Sinbad/SDSS.

The intense outflow of ionized gases has raised significant concerns at the ESA’s XMM-Newton X-ray observatory since its initial detection by University of Leicester astronomers in 2001, now recognized as a distinctive trait of the luminous active galactic nuclei (AGNs).

Professor Ken Pound and Dr. Kim Page from Leicester remarked:

“The black hole’s size increases with its mass, with a solar mass black hole having a radius of about 3 km.”

“Stellar mass black holes are prevalent across galaxies, often forming from the dramatic collapse of massive stars; however, ultra-massive black holes can be found in the nuclei of almost all galaxies except the smallest external ones.”

In 2014, astronomers undertook a five-week investigation of an ultra-massive black hole in the distant Seyfert Galaxy PG1211+143, located approximately 1.2 billion light-years from the constellation Coma Berenices.

Utilizing ESA’s XMM-Newton Observatory, they observed counter-inflows, accumulating at least 10 Earth masses near the black hole.

In their latest study, they detected a powerful new outflow traveling at 0.27 times the speed of light, initiated shortly thereafter. The gravitational energy released as material is drawn into the black hole is heated to millions of degrees, producing an overwhelming radiant pressure.

“Establishing a direct causal relationship between significant, temporary inflows and the resulting outflows offers an exciting perspective for observing the growth of supermassive black holes through continuous monitoring of the hot relativistic winds linked with new material accretion,” stated Professor Pound.

“PG1211+143 has been the focus of University of Leicester X-ray astronomers using ESA’s XMM-Newton Observatory since its launch in December 1999.”

“Initial findings surprisingly revealed a counterflow of rapid movements, reaching 15% of the speed of light (0.15c), affecting stellar formation (and consequently the growth) of the host galaxy.”

“Subsequent observations have shown that such winds are a common characteristic of bright AGNs.”

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Ken Pounds & Kim Page. 2025. Observations of the Eddington-style outflow from the bright Seyfert Galaxy PG1211+143. mnras 540(3): 2530-2534; doi: 10.1093/mnras/staf637

Source: www.sci.news