Active commuting and sociodemographic factors among university students in Spain.
BACKGROUND
Commuting to university represents an opportunity to incorporate physical activity (walking or biking) into students' daily routines. There are few studies that analyze patterns of transport in university populations. This cross-sectional study estimated energy expenditure from active commuting to university (ACU) and examined sociodemographic differences in findings.


METHODS
The sample included 518 students with a mean age of 22.4 years (59.7% female) from 2 urban universities in Valencia, Spain. Time spent in each mode of transport to university and sociodemographic factors was assessed by self-report.


RESULTS
Nearly 35% of the students reported walking or biking as their main mode of transport. ACU (min/wk) were highest for walkers (168) and cyclists (137) and lowest for motorbike riders (0.0) and car drivers (16). Public transport users, younger students, low socioeconomic status students, and those living ≤ 2 km from the university had higher energy expenditure from active commuting than comparison groups. Biking was highest among those living 2-5 km from the university.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that active commuting and public transit use generated substantial weekly energy expenditure, contributed to meeting physical activity recommendations, and may aid in obesity prevention.
Dept of Teaching of Musical, Visual, and Corporal Expression, University of Valencia, Spain.
Javier
J
Molina-García
James F
JF
Sallis
Isabel
I
Castillo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain; D013334:Students; D014186:Transportation; D014495:Universities; D014505:Urban Population; D016138:Walking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult