Active Commuting to School in Belgian Children
Author Information
Author(s): D'Haese Sara, De Meester Femke, De Bourdeaudhuij Ilse, Deforche Benedicte, Cardon Greet
Primary Institution: Ghent University
Hypothesis
What are the feasible distances for walking and cycling to school for 11- to 12-year-old Belgian children?
Conclusion
Household distance from school is an important factor influencing how children commute to school, with interventions needed to promote active commuting within 3.0 kilometers.
Supporting Evidence
- 59.3% of children in the study actively commuted to school.
- Criterion distances were determined to be 1.5 km for walking and 3.0 km for cycling.
- Parents' perceptions of accessibility were positively associated with active commuting.
Takeaway
Kids who live close to school are more likely to walk or bike there, and we should help them do that better.
Methodology
Parents of children in 44 randomly selected classes were surveyed about their children's commuting habits and perceptions of the neighborhood environment.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on parental perceptions and the cross-sectional nature of the study.
Limitations
The study relied on parental reports, which may not capture children's actual commuting behaviors, and did not distinguish between different modes of transport.
Participant Demographics
Children aged 11-12 years, with a near-equal gender distribution (54.5% boys, 45.5% girls).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 1.38-2.44 for accessibility; 95% CI = 2.56-20.51 for distance to school.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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