Promoting walking to school: results of a quasi-experimental trial.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of a combined intervention on children's travel behaviour, stage of behavioural change and motivations for and barriers to actively commuting to school.


METHODS
A quasi-experimental trial involving pre- and post-intervention mapping of routes to school by active and inactive mode of travel and surveys of "stage of behaviour change" and motivations for and barriers to actively commuting to school.


METHODS
The intervention school participated in a school-based active travel project for one school term. Active travel was integrated into the curriculum and participants used interactive travel-planning resources at home. The control school participated in before and after measurements but did not receive the intervention.


METHODS
Two primary schools in Scotland with similar socioeconomic and demographic profiles.


METHODS
Two classes of primary 5 children and their families and teachers.


RESULTS
Post intervention, the mean distance travelled to school by walking by intervention children increased significantly from baseline, from 198 to 772 m (389% increase). In the control group mean distance walked increased from 242 to 285 m (17% increase). The difference between the schools was significant (t (38) = -4.679, p<0.001 (95% confidence interval -315 to -795 m)). Post intervention, the mean distance travelled to school by car by intervention children reduced significantly from baseline, from 2018 to 933 m (57.5% reduction). The mean distance travelled to school by car by control children increased from baseline, from 933 to 947 m (1.5% increase). The difference in the change between schools was significant (t (32) = 4.282, p<0.001 (95% confidence interval 445 to 1255 m)).


CONCLUSIONS
Intervention was effective in achieving an increase in the mean distance travelled by active mode and a reduction in the mean distance travelled by inactive mode on school journey.
McKee
Rosie
R
Health Improvement Team, Acute Planning, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Glasgow, UK. rosie.mckee@gghb.scot.nhs.uk
Mutrie
Nanette
N
Crawford
Fiona
F
Green
Brian
B
D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012574:Schools; D012606:Scotland; D014195:Travel; D016138:Walking
Arch Dis Child. 2003 Jan;88(1):8-11
12495948
Am J Prev Med. 2003 Nov;25(4):273-6
14580626
BMJ. 2005 Nov 5;331(7524):1061-2
16107430
Child Care Health Dev. 2005 May;31(3):341-9
15840154
Am J Prev Med. 2005 Oct;29(3):179-84
16168866
BMJ. 2004 Oct 2;329(7469):763
15385407