Active versus passive transportation to school: differences in screen time, socio-economic position and perceived environmental characteristics in adolescent girls

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2007

Authors

Mota, J. (Author) FADEUP; Gomes, H. (Author) Other; Almeida, M. (Author) Other; ribeiro, jc (Author) FADEUP; Carvalho, J. (Author) FADEUP; Santos, M. P. (Author) FADEUP

Journal

Title: Annals of Human Biology

Vol. 34 No. 3

Pages: 273-282

ISSN: 0301-4460

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 68 Citations

Scopus - 71 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Social sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-CF5

DOI: 10.1080/03014460701308615

Abstract (EN): Objective: The aims of this study were ( 1) to assess the relationships between transport to and from school ( active vs. passive), sedentary behaviours, measures of socio-economic position and perceived environmental variables, and ( 2) to determine which, if any, variables were predictors of active transportation. Methods: The sample comprised 705 girls with mean age of 14.7 ( SD=1.6) years old. Questionnaires were used to describe travel mode to school and to estimate weekly television and computer use ( screen time). Girls were assigned to active transportation ( AT) or passive transportation ( PT) groups depending on whether they walked or bicycled ( AT) to and from school or travelled by car or bus ( PT). Screen time was determined by the number of hours they reported watching television and using computers in the week preceding the examination, including weekends. Socio-economic position was established by parental occupation and educational level. A questionnaire assessed Perceived Neighbourhood Environments. Results: No statistically significant differences were seen for screen time between travel groups. Occupational status of both mother (r=-0.17) and father (r=-0.15) and father's educational level (r=-0.10) were significantly and negatively associated with AT, while street connectivity (r=0.10) was positively and significantly associated with AT. Logistic regression analysis showed that the likelihood of active commuting decreased by around 50% with increasing father's occupation (odds ratio (OR)=0.51; p <= 0.05) and father's education (OR=0.52; p <= 0.05) from low to middle socio-economic position groups. Further, the data showed that girls who agreed that `there are many four-way intersections in my neighbourhood' were more likely to be active (OR=1.63; p <= 0.05). Conclusion: The data of this study showed that lower socio-economic position is associated with active commuting to school and that street connectivity is a predictor of active transportation in adolescent girls.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10