Travel to School and Physical Activity Levels in 9–10 Year-Old UK Children of Different Ethnic Origin; Child Heart and Health Study in England (CHASE)

Christopher G Owen,Derek G Cook,Esther M F Van Sluijs,Ulf Ekelund,Claire M Nightingale,Peter H Whincup,Alicja R Rudnicka,Erik Von Elm

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0030932

Abstract

BackgroundTravel to school may offer a convenient way to increase physical activity levels in childhood. We examined the association between method of travel to school and physical activity levels in urban multi-ethnic children.Methods and Findings2035 children (aged 9–10 years in 2006–7) provided data on their usual method of travel to school and wore an Actigraph-GT1M activity monitor during waking hours. Associations between method of travel and mean level of physical activity (counts per minute [CPM], steps, time spent in light, moderate or vigorous activity per day) were examined in models adjusted for confounding variables. 1393 children (69%) walked or cycled to school; 161 (8%) used public transport and 481 (24%) travelled by car. White European children were more likely to walk/cycle, black African Caribbeans to travel by public transport and South Asian children to travel by car. Children travelling by car spent less time in moderate to vigorous physical activity (−7 mins, 95%CI-9,-5), and had lower CPM (−32 CPM, 95%CI-44,-19) and steps per day (−813 steps, 95%CI,-1043,-582) than walkers/cyclists. Pupils travelling by public transport had similar activity levels to walkers/cyclists. Lower physical activity levels amongst car travellers' were especially marked at travelling times (school days between 8–9 am, 3–5 pm), but were also evident on weekdays at other times and at weekends; they did not differ by gender or ethnic group.ConclusionActive travel to school is associated with higher levels of objectively measured physical activity, particularly during periods of travel but also at other times. If children travelling by car were to achieve physical activity levels (steps) similar to children using active travel, they would increase their physical activity levels by 9%. However, the population increase would be a modest 2%, because of the low proportion of car travellers in this urban population.

Highlights

Low levels of physical activity in childhood are a major public health concern [1]
Active travel to school is associated with higher levels of objectively measured physical activity, during periods of travel and at other times
If children travelling by car were to achieve physical activity levels similar to children using active travel, they would increase their physical activity levels by 9%

Summary

Introduction

Low levels of physical activity in childhood are a major public health concern [1]. The need to increase levels of physical activity in children is recognized in current health policies [1,10,10]. Little is known about the impact of active travel to school in multi-ethnic urban populations, especially amongst South Asians who have low levels of physical activity in childhood [2] and adverse patterns of adiposity and cardiometabolic risk [28,29]. Travel to school may offer a convenient way to increase physical activity levels in childhood. We examined the association between method of travel to school and physical activity levels in urban multi-ethnic children

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion