Abstract
BackgroundTo examine the tracking of active travel through adolescence, and its association with body mass index (BMI) and fat mass at age 17 in a UK cohort.MethodsWe analysed data collected from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). The analyses include all participants with self-reported travel mode to school at ages 12, 14 and 16 years, and measured height, weight and body composition at age 17 (n=2,026). Tracking coefficients were calculated for individual travel behaviours (including walking and cycling) through adolescence using Generalised Estimating Equations. Linear regression analyses examined associations between travel pattern (consistently passive, consistently active, active at two time points or active at one time point), BMI, and DXA-measured fat mass (expressed as internally derived standard deviation scores) at 17 years. Analyses were adjusted for height (where appropriate), sex, age, parental social class, and maternal education with interaction terms to assess sex differences.ResultsThere was substantial tracking in active travel through adolescence, with 38.5% of males and 32.3% of females consistently walking or cycling to school. In males, a consistently or predominantly active travel pattern was associated with a lower BMI SD score at age 17 (consistently active: adjusted β=−0.23; 95% CI −0.40, −0.06; active at two time points: adjusted β−0.30; 95% CI −0.50, −0.10) compared to those with a consistently passive pattern. No associations were seen in females.ConclusionsMaintenance of active travel behaviours throughout adolescence may help to protect against the development of excess BMI in males. In addition to encouraging the adoption of active travel to school, public health messages should aim to prevent drop out from active travel to promote good health in youth.
Highlights
Young people who are physically active are less likely to be overweight, have an improved body composition and more favourable cardiovascular risk profile than their less active peers (Janssen and LeBlanc, 2010; Ness et al, 2007)
This study investigated the tracking of active travel through adolescence and its association with body composition at age 17 in a large UK birth cohort
Few prior studies have described the maintenance of travel behaviours through adolescence
Summary
Young people who are physically active are less likely to be overweight, have an improved body composition and more favourable cardiovascular risk profile than their less active peers (Janssen and LeBlanc, 2010; Ness et al, 2007). In the UK it is estimated that only 21% of boys and 16% of girls aged 5–15 years achieve recommended daily levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2012). Walking and cycling to school (active travel) may offer young people an opportunity to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives. To examine the tracking of active travel through adolescence, and its association with body mass index (BMI) and fat mass at age 17 in a UK cohort. Linear regression analyses examined associations between travel pattern (consistently passive, consistently active, active at two time points or active at one time point), BMI, and DXA-measured fat mass (expressed as internally derived standard deviation scores) at 17 years. A consistently or predominantly active travel pattern was associated with a lower BMI SD score at age 17 (consistently active: adjusted β 1⁄4 À 0.23; 95% CI À 0.40, À 0.06; active at two time points: adjusted β À 0.30; 95% CI À 0.50, À 0.10)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
