Trends and determinants of active school travel among Australian secondary school students: national cross‐sectional data from 2009 to 2018. (19th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adepoyibi, Temitope; Dixon, Helen; Gidding, Heather; Taylor, Richard; Morley, Belinda
• Is Part Of: Australian and New Zealand journal of public health. Volume 46:Number 6(2022)
• Page Start: 800
• Page End: 806
• Publication Date: 2022-10-19
• Subjects: active transport -- adolescents -- Australia -- active travel -- school; Public health -- Australia -- Periodicals; Public health -- New Zealand -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Australia -- Periodicals; Medical care -- New Zealand -- Periodicals; 362.10993
• DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.13315
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1326-0200

Abstract

Abstract: Objective : To examine active school travel trends and predictors among Australian secondary school students (aged 12–17) between 2009 and 2018. Methods : Three cross‐sectional surveys (2009‐10: N=13, 790; 2012‐13: N=10, 309; and 2018: N=9, 102) using a web‐based self‐report questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to identify differences in active travel (to and/or from school every weekday) between survey years and predictors. Results : From 2009‐10 to 2012‐13 to 2018, active travel decreased from 33.6% to 32.3% to 29.5% among females, and from 37.4% to 36.6% to 32.6% among males. Distance, female sex and regional location were associated with a lower likelihood of active travel. Students with pocket money, those who spoke a language other than English at home, and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students were more likely to actively travel. Conclusions : Between 2009‐10 and 2018, active school travel among secondary students in Australia declined. Several factors were found to be associated with active travel. Implications for public health : This is the first national study on active travel trends among secondary students in Australia. The recent decline requires action given the increasing prevalence of overweight and climate change.