What predicts children's active transport and independent mobility in disadvantaged neighborhoods?

J. Veitch, A. Carver, J. Salmon, G. Abbott, K. Ball, D. Crawford, V. Cleland, A. Timperio

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71 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study examined two year changes in children's active transport and independent mobility and prospective associations between individual, social and physical environmental predictors of interest and these behaviors two years later. Overall, 43.5% of children (12.0±2.1 years) used active transport on the school journey at T1 and at T2 (p=0.77), and 35.3% engaged in independent mobility on the school journey at T1 and 29.6% at T2 (p=0.07). Enjoyment, parental safety concerns, and proximity to walking tracks were associated with independent mobility on the school journey. Road safety and social norms were associated with active transport and independent mobility to local destinations. These factors provide potential targets for interventions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)103-109
Number of pages7
JournalHealth & Place
Volume44
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Active transport
  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Disadvantage
  • Independent mobility
  • Longitudinal study
  • Neighborhood
  • Walking to school

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