Changing Parental Transportation Behavior Decisions for Early Elementary School Children

Abstract

1354 Obesity has become the most common nutritional disorder in the United States. Environmental factors at the community level, such as traffic and pedestrian safety, are believed to play a role in the development and maintenance of obesity and therefore are a natural target for intervention. Somerville, Massachusetts is an urban, industrial city with a population of 78,000 and 10 public elementary schools. Somerville is an ideal community to implement a walk to school program, as there is no school busing system and because there is an existing infrastructure of pedestrian safety features such as an extensive crossing guard network, crossing signals, sidewalks and crosswalks. Most students live within a mile of their school; however, less than 50% of 1–3rd graders walk. PURPOSE: To increase students' daily physical activity by walking to school, and create a sense of neighborhood safety through reduction of traffic, due to reduced parental drop off, and increase of pedestrians around schools. METHODS: In May 2003, 46% of 1–3rd graders were identified as at risk of overweight, or overweight (> 85th percentile for BMI-for-age). Our focus group data showed that parents base their decisions regarding their child's transportation to school on their comfort with traffic safety and stranger danger. To address these concerns a committee was formed with representatives from various city departments, parents, and local organizations. Through collaborations, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) maps were made for each school showing crosswalks, signals, guards, and sidewalks within a quarter mile of each school. Maps were distributed to all parents at each school via children's backpacks. Two parent coordinators were hired to organize “walking school buses.” International Walk to School Day was celebrated in partnership with the schools. RESULTS: The GIS maps were received favorably and community organizations have been eager to display them. Data collected on over 1000 students in the Spring and Fall of 2003 demonstrate an increase in the percent of students walking to school by 3%, walking from school by 7%, and interest in walking by 3%. CONCLUSION: Environmental changes made by a community can affect parental knowledge and attitudes about traffic and abduction safety therefore increasing the number of children walking to school. Supported by a CDC grant R06 CCR121519.