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Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research article

School travel and children’s physical activity: a cross-sectional study examining the influence of distance

Authors: Guy Faulkner, Michelle Stone, Ron Buliung, Bonny Wong, Raktim Mitra

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Background

Walking to school is associated with higher levels of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between school travel mode and physical activity using a sampling frame that purposefully locates schools in varying neighbourhoods.

Methods

Cross-sectional survey of 785 children (10.57 ± 0.7 years) in Toronto, Canada. Physical activity was measured by accelerometry and travel mode was self-reported by parents. Linear regression models accounting for school clustering effects examined the associations between mode choice, BMI, and physical activity and were estimated adjusting for age, types of neighbourhoods and travel distance to school.

Results

Significant associations between walking to school and moderate activity during weekdays were found. Interactions between walking to school and travel distance to school were found only in boys with significant associations between walking to school and higher physical activity levels in those living within 1000–1600 meters from school. Boys walking to school and living in this range accumulated 7.6 more minutes of daily MVPA than boys who were driven.

Conclusions

Walking to school can make a modest but significant contribution to overall physical activity. This contribution was modified by travel distance and not school neighbourhood socioeconomic status or the built environment.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/13/1166/prepub

Title: School travel and children’s physical activity: a cross-sectional study examining the influence of distance
Authors: Guy Faulkner
Michelle Stone
Ron Buliung
Bonny Wong
Raktim Mitra
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-1166

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

School travel and children’s physical activity: a cross-sectional study examining the influence of distance

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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