Differences in adolescents' physical activity from school-travel between urban and suburban neighbourhoods in Metro Vancouver, Canada

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Naylor_Patti-Jean_PrevMedRep_2015.pdf (262.76 KB)

Date

2015

Authors

Frazer, Amanda
Voss, Christine
Winters, Meghan
Naylor, Patti-Jean
Higgins, Joan Warf
McKay, Heather

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Preventive Medicine Reports

Abstract

Objective. To investigate differences in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) from school-travel between adolescents in urban and suburban neighbourhoods and to describe its relative contribution to MVPA on school days. Methods. We measured 243 adolescents (51% male, grades 8–10) from Vancouver's walkable downtown core and its largely car-dependent suburb Surrey (fall 2011, 2013). We estimated mean school-travel MVPA from accelerometry (hour before/after school on ≥ 2 days; n = 110, 39% male) and compared school-travel MVPA by neighbourhood type and school-travel mode. The influence of mean school-travel MVPA on mean school-day MVPA (≥600 min valid wear time on ≥2 days) was examined by linear regression. Results. Over half of students used active modes (urban: 63%, suburban: 53%). Those using active travel and living in the urban neighbourhood obtained the most school-travel MVPA (22.3 ± 8.0 min). Urban passive travellers used public transit and obtained more school-travel MVPA than suburban students (16.9 ± 6.2 vs.8.0 ± 5.3, p b 0.001), who were primarily driven. Regardless of mode or neighbourhood type, over one-third of school-day MVPA was explained by school-travel MVPA (R2 = 0.38, p b 0.001). Conclusion. Urban dwelling may facilitate greater school-travel MVPA in adolescents. School-travel MVPA is an important contributor to adolescents' school-day MVPA. Where feasible, physically active options for school-travel should be promoted, including public transit.

Description

Keywords

Adolescent, Youth, Health promotion, Transportation, Physical activity, Environmental design

Citation

Frazer, A., Voss, C., Winters, M., Naylor, P., Higgins, J.W. & McKay, H. (2015). Differences in adolescents' physical activity from school-travel between urban and suburban neighbourhoods in Metro Vancouver, Canada. Preventive Medicine Reports, 2, 170-173. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2015.02.008

URI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2015.02.008
 http://hdl.handle.net/1828/9528

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