School Bag Weight as a Barrier to Active Transport to School among New Zealand Adolescents

Abstract

Background: Excessive school bag weight is a barrier to active transport to school (ATS). This study examined parents’ and adolescents’ perceptions of school bag weights and actual school bag weights for adolescents in New Zealand. Methods: Parents (n = 331; 76.7% women) completed a survey. Adolescents (n = 682; age 15.1 ± 1.4 years; 57.3% boys) completed a survey, underwent anthropometry, and had their school bags weighed. Results: Overall, 68.3% of parents perceived that adolescents’ school bags were too heavy to carry to school. This parental perception differed by adolescents’ mode of transport to school (active/motorized/combined: 35.1%/78.4%/68.8%, p < 0.001). Adolescents perceived that their school bags were too heavy to carry to walk (57.8%) or cycle (65.8%) to school. Adolescent perceptions differed by mode of transport to school (for walking (active/motorized/combined): 30.9%/69.2%/55.9% agree, p < 0.001; for cycling: 47.9%/72.8%/67.7%; p < 0.001). Actual school bag weight was, on average, 5.6 ± 2.1 kg. Relative school bag weight (% of body weight) was higher for boys and underweight adolescents compared to their counterparts. Neither absolute nor relative school bag weight differed by mode of transport to school. Conclusions: School bag weight was perceived a barrier to ATS and was a greater perceived barrier among users of motorized versus active transport. Perceptions of school bag weights should be considered in future ATS interventions.

School Bag-Related Factors and Their Implications for Walking and Cycling to School among New Zealand Adolescents

“…At the time of the survey, research assistants weighed adolescents’ school bags using a digital electronic scale (A&D scale UC321, A&D Medical, San Jose, CA, USA), as described previously [ 21 ]. School bag measurements included the weight of each adolescents’ school bags without an electronic device and, if applicable, a separate weight measurement of their electronic device and/or any additional bags, including sports gear and/or musical instruments.…”

“…In addition, actual and perceived school bag weight may influence adolescents’ and their parents’ decisions as to whether adolescents walk and/or cycle to school. A New Zealand study conducted in an urban setting found that approximately two-thirds of parents perceived that adolescents’ school bags were too heavy to carry to school, and nearly two-thirds of adolescents perceived their school bags as too heavy to carry for walking or cycling to school [ 21 ]. Compared to active transport users, a greater proportion of adolescents and parents who used motorised transport to school perceived adolescents’ school bag weights as a barrier for walking or cycling to school, whereas the measured school bag weight did not differ between adolescents using active, motorised, or mixed modes of transport to school [ 21 ].…”

“…A New Zealand study conducted in an urban setting found that approximately two-thirds of parents perceived that adolescents’ school bags were too heavy to carry to school, and nearly two-thirds of adolescents perceived their school bags as too heavy to carry for walking or cycling to school [ 21 ]. Compared to active transport users, a greater proportion of adolescents and parents who used motorised transport to school perceived adolescents’ school bag weights as a barrier for walking or cycling to school, whereas the measured school bag weight did not differ between adolescents using active, motorised, or mixed modes of transport to school [ 21 ]. However, whether adolescents’ school bag weights differ by transport to school mode after accounting for age, gender, weight status, and settlement types remains unknown.…”

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

“…36 Body mass index will be calculated and weight status category will be determined using international age and genderspecific cut-points. 57 Adolescents' school bags will be weighed, 45 including a separate weighing of laptop computers/tablets, for students who bring them to school.…”

How Czech Adolescents Perceive Active Commuting to School: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…It represents a simple method of incorporating PA in the form of walking or cycling into everyday life. Despite its advantages, AC is still underused, which might be due to less supportive built environments [20], parents' preferred travel options [12,13], cultural differences [21], and/or other factors [22]. The proportion of Czech adolescents commuting to school actively has been decreasing.…”