AIM: Active transport to and from school is frequently identified as an opportunity to increase energy expenditure among young people. The epidemiology of travel behaviours among Grade 6, 8 and 10 students in NSW is reported. METHODS: A representative population survey of students in NSW, Australia was conducted during February to May 2004 (n = 2750) and the prevalence of travelling to and from school by walking, car and public transport was determined for Grade 6, 8 and 10 students. RESULTS: Among Grade 6 students, approximately 30% travelled by car, 30% walked and 20% used public transport to travel to school (the travel habits of 20% could not be accurately characterised). Among secondary school students, approximately 50% used public transport, 15-20% travelled by car and 15-20% walked. Among those who walked or used public transport, the median times spent walking were 10-15 min and 5 min per trip, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: While there is little scope to increase the prevalence of active transport among secondary school students, there is potential to do so among primary school students. Primary school students who replace travelling to and from school by car with walking will experience an increase in activity energy expenditure of up to 10% and those who change to public transport will experience an increase in activity energy expenditure of up to 3%.
AIM: Active transport to and from school is frequently identified as an opportunity to increase energy expenditure among young people. The epidemiology of travel behaviours among Grade 6, 8 and 10 students in NSW is reported. METHODS: A representative population survey of students in NSW, Australia was conducted during February to May 2004 (n = 2750) and the prevalence of travelling to and from school by walking, car and public transport was determined for Grade 6, 8 and 10 students. RESULTS: Among Grade 6 students, approximately 30% travelled by car, 30% walked and 20% used public transport to travel to school (the travel habits of 20% could not be accurately characterised). Among secondary school students, approximately 50% used public transport, 15-20% travelled by car and 15-20% walked. Among those who walked or used public transport, the median times spent walking were 10-15 min and 5 min per trip, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: While there is little scope to increase the prevalence of active transport among secondary school students, there is potential to do so among primary school students. Primary school students who replace travelling to and from school by car with walking will experience an increase in activity energy expenditure of up to 10% and those who change to public transport will experience an increase in activity energy expenditure of up to 3%.
Authors: Jennifer D Roberts; Ming Hu; Brit Irene Saksvig; Micah L Brachman; Casey P Durand Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-02-13 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Jennifer D Roberts; Sandra Mandic; Craig S Fryer; Micah L Brachman; Rashawn Ray Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-04-12 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Mohammad Lutfur Rahman; Antoni Moore; Melody Smith; John Lieswyn; Sandra Mandic Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-05-10 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Russell Jago; Lesley Wood; Simon J Sebire; Mark J Edwards; Ben Davies; Kathryn Banfield; Kenneth R Fox; Janice L Thompson; Ashley R Cooper; Alan A Montgomery Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2014-04-16 Impact factor: 3.295