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Duffy RT, Larsen K, Bélanger M, Brussoni M, Faulkner G, Gunnell K, Tremblay MS, Larouche R. Children's Independent Mobility, School Travel, and the Surrounding Neighborhood. Am J Prev Med 2024; 66:819-831. [PMID: 38081375 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Children's active travel to and from school (AST) and children's independent mobility (CIM) are consistently positively associated with physical activity (PA); however, few researchers have investigated associations between objective measures of the environment and indicators of AST and CIM in national samples. METHODS A national sample of 2,067 Canadian parents of 7- to 12-year-old children was recruited in December 2020. Regression analyses were used in 2023 to assess the association between geographic information system measures of park density, blue space, population density, greenspace, intersection density, and CIM and AST to and from school. RESULTS Children in areas with high versus low park density (>0.025 vs. ≤0.025) had higher odds of travel to school via active modes (OR: 1.47 [1.14, 1.91], p=0.003). Children in neighborhoods in the highest quartile for neighborhood greenspace (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) were more likely to travel to home actively than those in areas of lower greenspace (OR: 1.70 [1.18, 2.45], p=0.004). On average, children living in areas in the highest versus the lowest quartile for intersection density were more likely to engage in AST to (OR: 2.43 [1.58, 3.75], p<0.001) and from (OR: 2.77 [1.80, 4.29], p<0.001) school. CONCLUSIONS The observed associations underscore a need for city planners and policymakers to ensure sufficient access to parks and neighborhood greenspace, especially if findings are confirmed in longitudinal studies. More research is needed to investigate the role of intersection density in supporting AST and CIM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert T Duffy
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kristian Larsen
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada; Health Canada, Office of Environmental Health, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Environmental and Radiation Health Science Directorate, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; CAREX Canada, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Mathieu Bélanger
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de La Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Mariana Brussoni
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Human Early Learning Partnership, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Guy Faulkner
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Katie Gunnell
- Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mark S Tremblay
- Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, CHEO Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Richard Larouche
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge AB, Canada
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Qu P, Luo M, Wu Y, Zhang F, Vos H, Gu X, Mi Y, Luo X, Jia P. Association between neighborhood aesthetics and childhood obesity. Obes Rev 2021; 22 Suppl 1:e13079. [PMID: 32725796 PMCID: PMC7988560 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The lack of neighbourhood aesthetics (e.g. public art and well-maintained properties) may reduce walkability in the neighbourhood and increase the risk of childhood obesity. In this study, a literature search was conducted in the Cochrane Library, PubMed and Web of Science for articles published before January 1, 2019 to analyse the associations between neighbourhood aesthetics and weight-related behaviours and outcomes among children and adolescents aged <18. One cohort study and 24 cross-sectional studies, conducted in 10 countries with a median sample size of 1124 were identified. Neighbourhood aesthetics was more commonly assessed by self-reported or parent-reported perceptions than objective measurements. Eighteen of the 25 included studies analysed physical activity (PA) as the outcome of interests, eight studies analysed active transport to school (ATS), and eight studies analysed weight status, including body mass index and overweight/obesity status. About two-thirds of studies reported non-significant associations when using PA and weight status as outcomes, and half of studies showed that neighbourhood aesthetics is associated with increased use of ATS. The rest of the studies reported mixed findings with slightly more studies showing neighbourhood aesthetics may promote PA or reduce weight. Better designed studies are necessary to achieve a robust understanding of this epidemiological relationship in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Qu
- Translational Medicine Center, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Miyang Luo
- Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China.,International Institute of Spatial Lifecourse Epidemiology (ISLE), Hong Kong, China.,Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yang Wu
- Department of Sociology, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.,Center for Asian & Pacific Economic &Social Development, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.,Research Institute for Female Culture, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Senseable City Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Heleen Vos
- International Institute of Spatial Lifecourse Epidemiology (ISLE), Hong Kong, China.,Faculty of Geo-information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Xinqian Gu
- Xi'an Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| | - Yang Mi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaoqin Luo
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Peng Jia
- International Institute of Spatial Lifecourse Epidemiology (ISLE), Hong Kong, China.,Faculty of Geo-information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.,Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
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Remmers T, Van Kann D, Kremers S, Ettema D, de Vries SI, Vos S, Thijs C. Investigating longitudinal context-specific physical activity patterns in transition from primary to secondary school using accelerometers, GPS, and GIS. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2020; 17:66. [PMID: 32423411 PMCID: PMC7236458 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-020-00962-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Previous longitudinal studies indicate that physical activity (PA) significantly declines from primary-to secondary school, and report both changes in individual and environmental determinants of PA. In order to understand this transition and to prevent this negative trend, it is important to gather contextually rich data on possible mechanisms that drive this decline. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate changes of PA patterns in transition between primary and secondary school, and to add domain-specific insights of how, where, and when these changes occur. METHODS In total, 175 children participated in a 7-day accelerometer- and Global Positioning System (GPS) protocol at their last year of primary and their first year of secondary school. GPS data-points were overlaid with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) data using ArcGIS 10.1 software. Based on the GPS locations of individual data-points, we identified child's PA at home, school, local sports grounds, shopping centers, and other locations. Also, trips in active and passive transport were identified according to previously validated GPS speed-algorithms. Longitudinal multi-level linear mixed models were fitted adjusting for age, gender, meteorological circumstances, and the nested structure of days within children and children within schools. Outcome measures were minutes spent in light PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA, specified for the time-segments before school, during school, after school and weekend days. RESULTS Total PA significantly declined from primary to secondary school. Although transport-related PA increased before- and during school, decreases were found for especially afterschool time spent at sports grounds and transport-related PA during weekends. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study that demonstrated longitudinal changes of context- and domain-specific PA patterns in transition between primary and secondary school, based on device-assessed PA. Given the importance of this transition-period for the development of long-term PA patterns, results from this study warrant the development of evidence-based PA programs in this transition period, while acknowledging the integrative role of schools, parents, and afterschool sports providers. More specifically, the results underline the need to increase children's PA levels in primary schools, promote afterschool PA at secondary schools, and to prevent the drop-out in sports participation at secondary schools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teun Remmers
- School of Sport Studies, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 347, Eindhoven, AH, 5600, The Netherlands.
- Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht, Maastricht University (Medical Center+), CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Dave Van Kann
- School of Sport Studies, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 347, Eindhoven, AH, 5600, The Netherlands
- Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University (Medical Center+), NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Stef Kremers
- Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University (Medical Center+), NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Dick Ettema
- Department of Human Geography and Planning, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sanne I de Vries
- The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Research group Healthy Lifestyle in a Supporting Environment, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Steven Vos
- School of Sport Studies, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 347, Eindhoven, AH, 5600, The Netherlands
- Department of Industrial Design, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Carel Thijs
- Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht, Maastricht University (Medical Center+), CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Nordbø ECA, Nordh H, Raanaas RK, Aamodt G. Promoting activity participation and well-being among children and adolescents. JBI Evid Synth 2020; 18:370-458. [DOI: 10.11124/jbisrir-d-19-00051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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van Hoof J, Beneken genaamd Kolmer DM, de Vlugt E, de Vries SI. Quality of Life: The Interplay between Human Behaviour, Technology and the Environment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16245106. [PMID: 31847304 PMCID: PMC6950153 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16245106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joost van Hoof
- Faculty of Social Work & Education, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Johanna Westerdijkplein 75, 2521 EN Den Haag, The Netherlands
- Department of Spatial Economy, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, ul. Grunwaldzka 55, 50-357 Wrocław, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-6-233-81404
| | - Deirdre M. Beneken genaamd Kolmer
- Faculty of Health, Nutrition & Sports, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Johanna Westerdijkplein 75, 2521 EN Den Haag, The Netherlands; (D.M.B.g.K.)
| | - Erwin de Vlugt
- Faculty of Technology, Innovation & Society, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Johanna Westerdijkplein 75, 2521 EN Den Haag, The Netherlands;
| | - Sanne I. de Vries
- Faculty of Health, Nutrition & Sports, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Johanna Westerdijkplein 75, 2521 EN Den Haag, The Netherlands; (D.M.B.g.K.)
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Van Kann DHH, Adank AM, van Dijk ML, Remmers T, Vos SB. Disentangling Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Patterns in Children with Low Motor Competence. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16203804. [PMID: 31658602 PMCID: PMC6843777 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16203804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Children with low motor competence (MC) are at high-risk for physical inactivity, yet little is known about their physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) patterns throughout the day. The purpose of this study is to disentangle PA and SB patterns among children with low MC across segmented day periods taking into account differences in gender and age. Data collection took place between May and July 2017. The Athletic Skills Track was used to measure MC. PA levels were objectively measured using accelerometers (ActiGraph, GT3X+) on school days. Data were segmented for (1) time before school, (2) time during school (based on school schedules), and (3) time after school. In total, data from 117 7-to-11 years-old children with low MC were eligible for analyses (N = 58 girls; N = 59 boys). Differences in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and SB between segmented periods, gender, and grade were analyzed by ANOVAs with post hoc tests (Tukey) and Independent Sample T-tests respectively. Time spent at school is the major contributor of time spent in SB in children with low MC. Low MC is equally distributed among gender, but large differences exist among boys and girls in both MVPA and SB, indicating low-MC girls as most inactive group. This pattern is found in all segmented periods of the school day, i.e., before, during, and after school. This study stresses the negative contribution of current school curricula on PA and SB in children with low MC, indicating the most efficient period of the day to intervene. Future school-based PA and SB interventions should particularly focus on specific high-risk populations, i.e., children with low MC, and girls in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dave H H Van Kann
- School of Sport Studies, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 347, 5600 AH Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- Department of Health Promotion, Nutrition and Translational Research Institute Maastricht (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Anoek M Adank
- School of Sport Studies, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 347, 5600 AH Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- Department of Industrial Design, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Martin L van Dijk
- School of Sport Studies, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 347, 5600 AH Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Teun Remmers
- School of Sport Studies, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 347, 5600 AH Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Steven B Vos
- School of Sport Studies, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 347, 5600 AH Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- Department of Industrial Design, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
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Critical Hours and Important Environments: Relationships between Afterschool Physical Activity and the Physical Environment Using GPS, GIS and Accelerometers in 10-12-Year-Old Children. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16173116. [PMID: 31461924 PMCID: PMC6747485 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16173116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess relationships between children’s physical environment and afterschool leisure time physical activity (PA) and active transport. Methods: Children aged 10–12 years participated in a 7-day accelerometer and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) protocol. Afterschool leisure time PA and active transport were identified based on location- and speed-algorithms based on accelerometer, GPS and Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) data. We operationalized children’s exposure to the environment by combining home, school and the daily transport environment in individualized daily activity-spaces. Results: In total, 255 children from 20 Dutch primary schools from suburban areas provided valid data. This study showed that greenspaces and smaller distances from the children’s home to school were associated with afterschool leisure time PA and walking. Greater distances between home and school, as well as pedestrian infrastructure were associated with increased cycling. Conclusion: We demonstrated associations between environments and afterschool PA within several behavioral contexts. Future studies are encouraged to target specific behavioral domains and to develop natural experiments based on interactions between several types of the environment, child characteristics and potential socio-cognitive processes.
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Meng S, Zacharias J, Han X. Longer afterschool active commutes and the travel environment of middle schools in Shenzhen, China. Prev Med Rep 2018; 12:170-175. [PMID: 30306013 PMCID: PMC6172362 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The afterschool commute is a major part of children's daily activity. This study examines the relationship between student extended active travel routes and route environment characteristics. Route environment characteristics may be related to an extended route for students who walk or bike home. Self-reported itineraries were collected from 12 to 15-year old students in 3 middle schools in Shenzhen in May and June (n = 1257). Itineraries involving a detour from the shortest possible route home (n = 437) were compared with the shortest route. A field study coded all possible routes within the school districts by playable open spaces, sidewalk width, controlled crossings, road category, and public transit stops. Binary logistic regression reveals that routes with greater intersection density and number of open spaces are related to active travel choice. Sidewalk width, number of traffic lights and proportion of arterial roads are positively related to motorized travel. Linear regression reveals that travel distance, sidewalk width, number of open spaces and street crossings, as well as the proportion of secondary roads and pathways are positively related to detour distance. Higher numbers of public transit stops and traffic lights are related to shorter detours. Attending cram school is also negatively associated with active travel and detour. Younger students, females and students with longer moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time have extended active travel. Specific route environment characteristics are associated with longer and more active middle school student commutes and may be implemented to raise overall activity levels in children. Extended travel home from school is associated with environmental features en route. Greater intersection density and open spaces are associated with active travel. Gated communities and cram schools are associated with less active travel. Distance from school is not significant in the active travel choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si'an Meng
- Laboratory for Urban Process Modelling and Applications, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - John Zacharias
- Laboratory for Urban Process Modelling and Applications, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xili Han
- Peking University Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
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Wang L, Tang Y, Luo J. School and community physical activity characteristics and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among Chinese school-aged children: A multilevel path model analysis. JOURNAL OF SPORT AND HEALTH SCIENCE 2017; 6:416-422. [PMID: 30356647 PMCID: PMC6189256 DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 08/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the association between school and community physical activity (PA) characteristics and levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among Chinese school children. METHODS Data were obtained from the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China-The Youth Study project. Participants were 80,928 school children (Grades 4-12; 39,747 boys, 41,181 girls; mean age = 13 years) and 935 physical education (PE) teachers who completed a study survey. Independent variables included both school-related factors (school-level PA support, availability of and access to PA facilities, and the duration of school PE classes) and community-related factors (the frequency of sports events, sports training opportunities, availability of sports clubs and organizations, and access to PA facilities). The dependent variable was the children's self-reported participation in MVPA. The data were analyzed, in 2017, via multilevel modeling. RESULTS PA support from school administrators was the only school-level factor significantly related to children's participation in MVPA. Children's perceptions of the frequency of community-sponsored sports events, availability of sports clubs and organizations, and convenient access to PA facilities were associated with a high level of MVPA participation. In regard to residency in urban and rural areas, children attending urban schools who perceived high availability of PA facilities were associated with a low level of participation in MVPA. CONCLUSION School support for PA and community PA resources are associated with MVPA among Chinese school children. School PA facilities appear underutilized among urban schools as evidenced by low levels of MVPA among school children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Wang
- School of Physical Education and Sport Training, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yan Tang
- School of Physical Education and Sport Training, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
- Shanghai Research Center for Physical Fitness and Health of Children and Adolescents, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
- Corresponding author.
| | - Jiong Luo
- School of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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Zacharias J, Zhen B, Han X, Huang Y. Local environment and social factors in primary school children's afterschool commute in China. Prev Med Rep 2017; 7:206-210. [PMID: 28752024 PMCID: PMC5524311 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2017.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2016] [Revised: 06/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid decline in young children's active commutes to and from school has prompted investigations into ways to raise activity levels. The period after school is recognized as very important in the daily activity regime of primary school children. In this study, we examine the relative effects of local environmental factors and socio-economic status on children's after-school commute mode choice. Environmental factors are pedestrian priority streets, street intersection density, motorways, shops, and play spaces. Property values are used as a proxy for income. Twenty-four school districts are selected using intersection density and motorway length as criteria. All children's exit behaviors were film-recorded on October weekdays and extracted as four choices-alone, in a group of children, on foot with a parent or guardian, on e-bike driven by an adult. A multinomial logistic regression reveals that gated communities, higher priced housing, motorways and bus stops are associated with children accompanied by adults. The presence of pedestrian streets is associated with children travelling alone and in groups. Greater travel distance is also associated with parents accompanying children on foot or on e-bike. The amount of play space is associated with children leaving school in groups. Overall, social and environmental factors are influential in the independent travel of primary school children after the school day ends in south China.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Zacharias
- Laboratory of Urban Process Modelling and Applications, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Bai Zhen
- Laboratory of Urban Process Modelling and Applications, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xili Han
- Peking University Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yunshi Huang
- Faculty of Architecture, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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