The importance of Active Transportation to and from school for daily physical activity among children.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate if students who use of Active Transportation (AT) to and from school among urban and rural Canadian children are more likely to meet physical activity recommendations.


METHODS
The Raising healthy Eating and Active Living in Alberta (REAL Kids Alberta) study is a population-based health survey among Grade 5 students. In 2009, physical activity levels were measured using time-stamped pedometers (number of steps/hour) among 688 children. Parents reported mode of transportation to and from school (AT/non-AT). Multilevel multiple linear regression analyses with corresponding β coefficients were conducted to quantify the relationship between mode of transportation to and from school with (1) overall step count, and (2) the likelihood of achieving at least 13,500 steps per day recommended for optimal growth and development.


RESULTS
Among urban children, those who used AT to and from school accumulated more steps [β=1124(95% CI=170,2077)] and although not significant, were more likely to achieve the recommended 13,500 steps/day compared to those not using AT to and from school [OR=1.61(95% CI=0.93,2.81)].


CONCLUSIONS
Using AT to and from school appears to be beneficial to children by supplementing their physical activity, particularly those living in urban regions. Strategies to promote physical activity are needed, particular for children residing in rural regions and smaller towns.
Sedentary Living Lab, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Canada. rpabayo@hsph.harvard.edu
Roman
R
Pabayo
Katerina
K
Maximova
John C
JC
Spence
Kerry
K
Vander Ploeg
Biao
B
Wu
Paul J
PJ
Veugelers
D000416:Alberta; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012574:Schools; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data