How actively do children travel to their pre-school setting?

Abstract

BackgroundPhysical activity in early childhood can impact favourably on later child and adult health and walking or cycling for transport, otherwise known as ‘active travel’, is recommended as a way of increasing activity levels in children and adults. This preliminary study focussed on active travel amongst pre-school aged children, an age group that has received little attention in this respect. It aimed to determine the prevalence of active travel in four pre-school settings and assess factors influencing travel patterns. MethodsA cross sectional travel survey in four pre-schools: two in each of two contrasting socio-economic neighbourhoods was completed in April 2013. Results289 questionnaires were completed i.e. a response rate of 83.5%. Analysis focussed on the four pre-schools since sample heterogeneity precluded neighbourhood comparisons. Active travel prevalence for children usually arriving and/or collected for each pre-school was 40.8% (A), 56.9% (B), 34.1% (C) and 60.0% (D). Regression analysis showed that distance to pre-school, weather and other travel commitments independently predicted active travel. ConclusionThis preliminary study identified factors associated with active travel amongst pre-school aged children and issues warranting further research. Addressing these could assist in developing effective strategies to promote active travel in the early years of life.