Personal, social and environmental correlates of active transport to school among adolescents in Otago, New Zealand

Mandic, Sandra; Barra, Sophia Leon de la; Bengoechea, Enrique Garcíá; Stevens, Emily; Flaherty, Charlotte; Moore, Antoni; Middlemiss, Melanie; Williams, John; Skidmore, Paula

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2014.06.012

Cited by 99 publications

(94 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…42 Common barriers to ATS included long distance, personal factors (eg, heavy school bags), lack of social support, convenience of being driven to school, the weather, BE factors (intersection density and residential density), traffic safety concerns, cycling helmet legislation and school choice policies. 14 15 38 39 41 43-46 Adolescents' perception of the safety of walking to school was the strongest correlate of ATS. 47 The BE in school neighbourhoods correlated with adolescents' perceptions of the school route for walking and cycling.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Built environment changes and active transport to school among adolescents: BEATS Natural Experiment Study protocol

et al. 2020

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IntroductionNatural experiments are considered a priority for examining causal associations between the built environment (BE) and physical activity (PA) because the randomised controlled trial design is rarely feasible. Few natural experiments have examined the effects of walking and cycling infrastructure on PA and active transport in adults, and none have examined the effects of such changes on PA and active transport to school among adolescents. We conducted the Built Environment and Active Transport to School (BEATS) Study in Dunedin city, New Zealand, in 2014–2017. Since 2014, on-road and off-road cycling infrastructure construction has occurred in some Dunedin neighbourhoods, including the neighbourhoods of 6 out of 12 secondary schools. Pedestrian-related infrastructure changes began in 2018. As an extension of the BEATS Study, the BEATS Natural Experiment (BEATS-NE) (2019–2022) will examine the effects of BE changes on adolescents’ active transport to school in Dunedin, New Zealand.Methods and analysisThe BEATS-NE Study will employ contemporary ecological models for active transport that account for individual, social, environmental and policy factors. The published BEATS Study methodology (surveys, accelerometers, mapping, Geographic Information Science analysis and focus groups) and novel methods (environmental scan of school neighbourhoods and participatory mapping) will be used. A core component continues to be the community-based participatory approach with the sustained involvement of key stakeholders to generate locally relevant data, and facilitate knowledge translation into evidence-based policy and planning.Ethics and disseminationThe BEATS-NE Study has been approved by the University of Otago Ethics Committee (reference: 17/188). The results will be disseminated through scientific publications and symposia, and reports and presentations to stakeholders.Trial registration numberACTRN12619001335189.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Built environment changes and active transport to school among adolescents: BEATS Natural Experiment Study protocol

et al. 2020

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“…Results of the present study suggest that MAPS Global-SN and GIS measures of the SN-BE evaluate built environment attributes at different scales (i.e., micro-scale and macro-scale levels), indicated by few significant associations between the two assessment tools. In relation to ATS, extensively studied macro-scale GIS measures of the home neighbourhood built environment indicate higher intersection density [24], high-income and high-walkability neighbourhoods [19] and shorter distances to school [22,24,26] are associated with greater odds of ATS among adolescents. The development of various micro-scale environmental audit tools, including the original MAPS Global, reflects the awareness that smaller environmental details are also likely to influence physical activity experiences and behaviours in an environment [31], including ATS behaviours [27,28,48].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Considerable research among children and adolescents reflects home neighbourhood built environment influences on ATS, indicating higher odds of ATS when children and adolescents perceive they live in aesthetically-pleasing [21,22] and safe neighbourhoods, with slow traffic speed (especially among adolescent girls) [23], and diverse and good public services [21,23] (micro-scale attributes). In addition, odds of ATS are greater when adolescents live in high-income and high-walkability neighbourhoods [19], with higher intersection density [24,25], and shorter distances to school [22,[24][25][26] (macro-scale attributes). However, limited research and assessment of the SN-BE has been conducted in relation to ATS among adolescents e.g., [17,27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

School Neighbourhood Built Environment Assessment for Adolescents’ Active Transport to School: Modification of an Environmental Audit Tool and Protocol (MAPS Global-SN)

Pocock

Moore

Molina‐García

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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School neighbourhood built environments (SN-BE) can influence adolescents’ active transport to school habits. Typically, SN-BE assessment has involved micro-scale (i.e., environmental audits) or macro-scale (Geographic Information Systems (GIS)) assessment tools. However, existing environmental audits are time/resource-intensive and not specific to school neighbourhoods, while GIS databases are not generally purposed to include micro-scale data. This study evaluated the inter-rater reliability and feasibility of using a modified audit tool and protocol (Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes Global–School Neighbourhood (MAPS Global-SN)) to assess the SN-BE of twelve secondary schools in Dunedin, New Zealand. Correlations between MAPS Global-SN and GIS measures of the SN-BE were also examined. Specifically, MAPS Global-SN audit and GIS spatial analysis (intersection density, residential density, land use mix, walkability) was conducted within a 0.5 km street-network buffer-zone around all twelve schools. Based on investigator and expert consultation, MAPS Global-SN included eight modifications to both auditing processes and items. Inter-rater reliability data was collected from two independent auditors across two schools. The feasibility of a condensed audit protocol (auditing one side of each street segment in the neighbourhood, compared to both sides) was also assessed. Results indicated the modified MAPS Global-SN tool had good to excellent inter-rater reliability and the condensed MAPS Global-SN audit protocol appeared to sufficiently represent the micro-scale SN-BE. Results also highlighted the complementary nature of micro- and macro-scale assessments. Further recommendations for SN-BE assessment are discussed.

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“…A previous systematic review [7] showed positive associations between ACS and daily PA levels, but there are few studies analyzing the association only derived from the PA generated by ACS journeys. A study [29] conducted in adolescents from New Zealand (mean age = 15 years old) showed that fewer screens per household (OR: 0.53, 0.35-0.82) and meeting screen time guidelines (OR 1.74: 1.22-2.50) were positively associated with ACS. However, it seems that studies examining the relationship between sedentary time and PA behaviors, such as ACS, have reported incongruous results [30].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Objective Measurement of the Mode of Commuting to School Using GPS: A Pilot Study

et al. 2019

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Background and objectives: Active commuting to school (ACS) is a promising strategy to increase the daily physical activity (PA) in youths. However, more studies are required to objectively quantify the mode of commuting to school, as well as the health impact of this behavior. Thus, the aims of this study were: (1) to objectively determine the mode of commuting to school using GPS; (2) to quantify the sedentary time, PA levels, energy expenditure, and the steps derived from each mode of commuting; and (3) to analyze the associations between ACS trips and sedentary time, PA, energy expenditure, and steps. Participants and Methods: A total of 180 trips to school were detected, which corresponded to 18 adolescents (12 girls, mean age = 15 ± 0.0 years old). Mode of commuting to school was detected using a novel method merging GPS data in the Personal Activity Location Measurement System (PALMS), whereas sedentary time, PA levels, energy expenditure, and steps were objectively evaluated through accelerometry. Logistic regressions were used to analyze the associations of these variables with walking trips. Results: A total of 115 trips were recorded. Most trips were performed by walk (49.5%), followed by vehicle (39.1%) and mixed transport (11.3%). In the active school trips, youths were less likely to spend minutes in sedentary behaviors (OR: 0.481, p = 0.038), a higher increase on Metabolic-Equivalent of Task (METs) (OR: 5.497, p = 0.013), and greater steps (OR: 1.004, p = 0.029) than in the passive school trips (both active and passive modes were objectively measured). Conclusions: ACS (mainly walking) contribute to higher METs and steps in adolescents. GPS could be an appropriate method to objectively evaluate the PA variables related to the ACS trips.

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Personal, social and environmental correlates of active transport to school among adolescents in Otago, New Zealand

Cited by 99 publications

References 26 publications

Built environment changes and active transport to school among adolescents: BEATS Natural Experiment Study protocol

Built environment changes and active transport to school among adolescents: BEATS Natural Experiment Study protocol

School Neighbourhood Built Environment Assessment for Adolescents’ Active Transport to School: Modification of an Environmental Audit Tool and Protocol (MAPS Global-SN)

Objective Measurement of the Mode of Commuting to School Using GPS: A Pilot Study

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