The socio-ecological determinants of change in school travel mode over the transition from childhood to adolescence and the association with physical activity intensity. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Irwin, Jessica; van Sluijs, Esther M.F.; Panter, Jenna; Jones, Andy
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 72(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Active travel -- School commute -- Youth physical activity -- Public health -- Health behaviour; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102667
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: School active travel contributes to young people's physical activity levels, yet the prevalence is low, and declines with age. Based on determinants from the social-ecological model we investigated changes in school travel behaviour over the transition from childhood to adolescence in participants from the baseline and four-year follow-up of the SPEEDY cohort. Descriptive analysis examined how travel behaviours changed and were related to physical activity. Multinomial logistic regression investigated determinants. Some 38% of participants changed travel mode; 66% from active to passive. Passively traveling participants at follow-up showed a decrease in physical activity. Several social-ecological domains were associated with change. Findings suggest multicomponent interventions are required to support active travel in youth. Highlights: Active travel to school is a key contributor to young people's activity levels. Many children change travel mode during the transition to adolescence. Taking up a passive travel mode leads to a decline in physical activity levels. Many different domains of a young person's life influence change in travel mode. An intervention targeting many domains of life may increase levels of active travel.