Cross-continental comparison of the association between the physical environment and active transportation in children : a systematic review

Background: The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the relationship between a wide range of physical environmental characteristics and different contexts of active transportation in 6- to 12-year-old children across different continents. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in six databases (Pubmed, Web of Science, Cinahl, SportDiscus, TRIS and Cochrane) resulting in 65 papers, eligible for inclusion. The investigated physical environmental variables were grouped into six categories: walkability, accessibility, walk/cycle facilities, aesthetics, safety, recreation facilities. Results: The majority of the studies were conducted in North America (n = 35), Europe (n = 17) and Australia (n = 11). Active transportation to school (walking or cycling) was positively associated with walkability. Walking to school was positively associated with walkability, density and accessibility. Evidence for a possible association was found for traffic safety and all forms of active transportation to school. No convincing evidence was found for associations between the physical environment and active transportation during leisure. General safety and traffic safety were associated with active transportation to school in North America and Australia but not associated with active transportation to school in Europe. Conclusions: The physical environment was mainly associated with active transportation to school. Continent specific associations were found, indicating that safety measures were most important in relation to active commuting to school in North America and Australia. There is a need for longitudinal studies and studies conducted in Asia, Africa and South-America and studies focusing specifically on active transportation during leisure

Prevalence of Active School Transportation in the Upper East and Upper West Regions of Ghana

The use of active transportation such as walking to and from school is on the decline globally. The primary purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of active school transportation among primary and junior high school students in the Upper East and Upper West regions of Ghana. The secondary purpose was to examine predictors for meeting the recommended daily number of steps. A total of 2505 (1117 boys and 1388 girls) primary (1583) and junior high school (922) students participated in the study. The distances from children\u27s homes to their schools, heights, and body weights were measured –their heights were used to estimate their stride lengths. The step count for each participant to and from school each day was calculated. Data were analyzed using conditional percentage distribution and Logit model. Analyses indicated that 98.96% of participants used active transportation to and from school. Over 63% of the students were within the normal BMI range. However, 26.47% of the participants were either thin or underweight while 9.9% were either overweight or obese. Overall, 46.47% of the participants met the recommended daily steps. The Logit model indicated that educational level, BMI, mode of transportation, region, height, and age were significant predictors for meeting the recommended daily number of steps. The prevalence of school active transportation in the present study was high compared to that reported in other studies. Furthermore, the prevalence of thinness and underweight were higher than in previous studies, while the prevalence in overweight and obesity were lower

Expenditures on Public Transportation

Public transportation expenditures consumed 6 percent of the average household\u27s transporation budget in 1997, divided between intracity and intercity travel (22 percent and 78 percent of total public transportation expenditures, respectively). Intracity transportation modes include mass transit, taxi and limousine service, and school bus. Intercity transportation modes include air, bus, train, and ship. This report highlights public transportation expenditures by consumer units in 1997, classified by income quintiles and by region

Active Transportation and Health Effects of Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) Projects and Planning

On July 29, 2005 Congress passed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), the federal government’s transportation bill, in part, designating $612 million over five years to go to a relatively new funding program: Safe Routes to School (SR2S). The legislation mandated that state departments of transportation (DOTs) receive annual funding in an amount proportional to the number of primary and middle school grade children enrolled in their states. State DOTs could then grant that money to state, local, and regional agencies, as well as non-profit organizations to fund SR2S programs. Improving public health (and increasing active transportation) is both an explicit and implicit factor motivating this piece of legislation. In the years since its passage into law, the effectiveness of SR2S projects at improving public health have been tested and researched. This perspective documents our current state of understanding of the effects of SR2S projects on public health and active transportation in the U.S

Active Transportation to School -- Trends in Walking and Biking to School

Summarizes key findings from an analysis of 1969-2001 data on elementary, junior high, and high school students walking or biking to school and the key factors contributing to the declining trend