Mediation role of residential density on the association between perceived environmental factors and active commuting to school in Brazilian adolescents.

Arieli Fernandes Dias,Jorge Mota,Antonio García-Hermoso,Caroline Brand,Emilio Villa-González,Adroaldo Cezar Araujo Gaya,Anelise Reis Gaya,Alex Antonio Florindo

doi:10.1590/0102-311x00067620

Abstract

The objective of this study was to verify whether residential density and connectivity between streets are mediators on the association between perceived environmental factors and active commuting to school (ACS) in Brazilian adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study with a random sample of 1,130 adolescents (52.7% girls) aged between 14 to 20 years, from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Adolescents' self-reported their usual mode of commuting to and from school using a questionnaire and the perceived environmental attributes by Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale for Youth (NEWS-Y). Residential density and connectivity between streets were measured by gographic information systems (GIS), within 1km road network buffers around the participant's residential address. Regression models were fitted according to mediation analyses procedures. The results showed that residential density is a mediator on the association between ACS and perceived environmental factors, including land-use mix diversity (IE = 0.114; 95%CI: 0.130, 0.311; 32% mediation), neighborhood recreation facilities (IE = 0.064; 95%CI: 0.034, 0.105; 15% mediation), and access to services (IE = 0.045; 95%CI: 0.006, 0.104; 14% mediation). Connectivity between streets did not correlate with ACS, thus it was not tested in the mediation model. In conclusion, residential density is a mediator on the relationship between perceived environmental factors and ACS.

Highlights

The prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension have been increasing in children and adolescents over the years 1
The main findings of this study indicate that residential density and perceived environmental factors are associated with active commuting to school (ACS)
Results showed that residential density acts as a mediator on the ACS association with land-use mix diversity (32%), neighborhood recreation facilities (15%), and access to services (14%) in adolescents

Summary

Introduction

The prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension have been increasing in children and adolescents over the years 1. These non-communicable diseases are with low levels of physical activity in this population 2. Since most school children must travel to and from school twice a day, this behavior could be integrated into their individual routines. In this sense, previous review studies have identified numerous interventions of ACS promotion and its association with several health indicators in children and adolescents [9,10,11]

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Conclusion