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Neighbourhood, route and school environments and their association with children’s walking and cycling to school

Jenna Panter , Andy Jones , Esther van Sluijs , Simon Griffin

Objective: To assess whether objectively-measured characteristics of the neighbourhood, route and school environments are associated with active commuting to school among children. We also explore whether distance acts as a moderator in this association. Methods: A cross sectional study of 2012 children (899 boys and 1113 girls) aged 9-10 years attending 92 schools in the county of Norfolk, UK. During the summer of 2007 questionnaires were completed by children and parents. Attributes around the home and route to school were assessed using a Geographical Information System. School environments were assessed using a newly developed school audit and via questionnaires completed by head teachers. Results: Almost half of the children usually walked or cycled to school. Children who lived in a more deprived area and whose route to school was direct were less likely to walk or cycle to school, whilst those who had a higher density of roads in their neighbourhood were more likely to walk. Furthermore, children whose routes had a high density of streetlights were less likely to cycle to school. Distance did not moderate the observed associations. Discussion: Objectively measured neighbourhood and route factors are associated with walking and cycling to school. However, distance did not moderate the associations found here. Creating environments which are safe, through improving urban design may influence children’s commuting behaviour. However, intervention studies are needed to confirm the findings from this observational cross-sectional study.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 38, (3), 268-278

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