Sunday, January 12, 2014

[bstztuoy] Time constant for pet weight change

A CONVERSATION WITH CARSON CHOW
A Mathematical Challenge to Obesity

Illuminating the Obesity Epidemic with Mathematics

Research suggests that the time constant for weight change in humans is 1 to 3 years, during which time homeostasis mechanisms will try very hard to restore the body weight, making dieting to permanently lose weight very difficult.

What is the time constant for various pets, e.g., cats and dogs?  Pets are not constrained by lack of their own willpower, though getting them to exercise, expend calories, might be difficult.

Certainly mice and rats have been measured.

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