title: Active commuting and its associations with blood pressure and adiposity markers in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The positive impacts of active travel on health markers still require further research, especially in youth populations with higher risk of obesity. The present study aimed to analyze the associations between blood pressure and adiposity risk (BPAR) and active travel to school in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample comprised 665 Portuguese children (345 boys) aged 7-9 years. Data on height, weight, and skinfold thickness were collected by a trained fieldworker as well as data on BPAR between March 2009 and January 2010 (data were analyzed in 2012-2013). Information on mode and duration of travel to school (i.e. exposure) was gathered by questionnaire. Outcome variables were statistically normalized and expressed as Z scores. A BPAR score was computed as the mean of the Z scores. Multiple linear regression, with adjustments for confounders, was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Active commuting was inversely associated with BPAR after adjustment for several potential confounders. After adjusting for BMI, the strength of the relationship between BPAR and active commuting was significantly improved (p≤0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings showed an independent association between the clustered BPAR and active commuting in children aged 7-9 years.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: rodriguesari@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Aristides M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Machado-Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: ana_margarida_s@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: augusta.gama@fc.ul.pt.
authors.forename: Augusta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gama
authors.affiliation: Research Centre in Health and Human Development, University of Tras-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal. Electronic address: mimc@utad.pt.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mourão
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: helenamarquesnogueira@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nogueira
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: vrosadomarques@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rosado
authors.affiliation: Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Porto, R. Dr. Plácido Costa, 91, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: jmota@fade.up.pt.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: cpadez@antrop.uc.pt.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Padez
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000502:physiology*; D000886:Anthropometry; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011174:Portugal; D012574:Schools; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014186:Transportation; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Active transportation; Blood pressure; Childhood; Inactivity; Public health