ANS 150: Importance of Animals

Vocabulary flashcards covering nutrition sources, human–animal relationships, health effects, economics, and research related to animals.

Nourishment

The intake of food and nutrients that provides energy and building blocks for growth, health, and daily activity.

Companionship

Social and emotional support derived from interaction with animals; contributes to well-being.

Human health

The overall physical and mental well-being influenced by nutrition, activity, and animal interactions.

Income (from animals)

Economic contributions from animal-related activities, including food, products, and services.

Daily caloric intake (age 25–50)

Recommended daily calories: females 2,000; males 2,700; average ~2,350 (WHO 2019).

Daily protein intake (age 25–50)

Recommended daily protein: females 44 g; males 56 g; average ~50 g (WHO 2019).

Cereals (as nutrient source)

Worldwide source of calories 47% and protein 42%.

Animal products (as nutrient source)

Worldwide source of calories 17% and protein 39%.

Vegetables & Fruits (as nutrient source)

Worldwide source of calories 6% and protein 4%.

FAO

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

World Health Organization (WHO)

International agency providing nutrition and health guidance; sources indicated in notes.

Source of nutrients (global)

Categories used to show where calories and protein come from worldwide: cereals, animal products, vegetables & fruits.

Daily Nutrients and Hunger

Conceptual section comparing country cal/protein with hunger data (FAO, 2019).

Undernourishment

Condition of insufficient dietary energy intake; tracked by FAO in hunger statistics.

Food desert

Area where access to unprocessed food is limited, typically >1 mile from a grocery store without a car or public transit.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

U.S. program providing food assistance; pandemic affected participation and expenditures.

Pet ownership

Ownership and presence of pets in households; indicates companionship role of animals.

AVMA

American Veterinary Medical Association; organization providing pet-related data.

American Pet Food Institute

Industry group supplying data on pets and pet-related markets.

Pet Assisted Therapy

Use of animals to improve physical, emotional, or mental health; history and practice described in notes.

Homeopathy

Natural or alternative treatment method; discussed in the context of lifestyle/therapy.

Retrospective studies

Research using existing data to examine associations between variables (e.g., pet ownership and health outcomes).

Prospective studies

Research that follows participants forward in time to observe outcomes (e.g., physiological changes with pet interaction).

Friedman et al. (1980)

Study showing lower mortality in heart-disease patients with pets versus without pets after 1 year.

Anderson (1992)

Study noting pet owners had lower systolic blood pressure and triglycerides.

Katcher (1981)

Work showing blood pressure reductions when people interact with their pets.

Gross income

Total income generated by livestock and poultry sectors.

Economic impact factor

Multiplier estimating the broader economic value supported by animal production (economic activity more than direct costs).

Value of livestock and poultry in the U.S.

Monetary value breakdown: cattle/calves, poultry/poultry products, dairy products, hogs/pigs, other livestock; total ≈ $175.5B (2018).

Estimated annual ownership costs (cats & dogs)

Annual costs including veterinary care, food, treats, grooming, boarding, vitamins, toys; totals around $1,464 (dogs) and $1,149 (cats) in 2017.

Ownership cost / purchase price (impact factor)

Formula: Impact Factor = Ownership costs ÷ purchase price; illustrates economic impact per unit sale.

Economics of companion animals

Balance of gross income, consumer spending, and economic impact of pets and pet care.