Linda Rothman1, Teresa To2, Ron Buliung3, Colin Macarthur2, Andrew Howard2. 1. Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Room 2374, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada. Electronic address: linda.rothman@sickkids.ca. 2. Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada. 3. Department of Geography, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road N, South Building, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To estimate the proportion of children living within walking distance who walk to school in Toronto, Canada and identify built and social environmental correlates of walking. METHODS: Observational counts of school travel mode were done in 2011, at 118 elementary schools. Built environment data were obtained from municipal sources and school field audits and mapped onto school attendance boundaries. The influence of social and built environmental features on walking counts was analyzed using negative binomial regression. RESULTS: The mean proportion observed walking was 67% (standard deviation=14.0). Child population (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.36), pedestrian crossover (IRR 1.32), traffic light (IRR 1.19), and intersection densities (IRR 1.03), school crossing guard (IRR 1.14) and primary language other than English (IRR 1.20) were positively correlated with walking. Crossing guard presence reduced the influence of other features on walking. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first large observational study examining school travel mode and the environment. Walking proportions were higher than those previously reported in Toronto, with large variability. Associations between population density and several roadway design features and walking were confirmed. School crossing guards may override the influence of roadway features on walking. Results have important implications for policies regarding walking promotion. Crown
OBJECTIVES: To estimate the proportion of children living within walking distance who walk to school in Toronto, Canada and identify built and social environmental correlates of walking. METHODS: Observational counts of school travel mode were done in 2011, at 118 elementary schools. Built environment data were obtained from municipal sources and school field audits and mapped onto school attendance boundaries. The influence of social and built environmental features on walking counts was analyzed using negative binomial regression. RESULTS: The mean proportion observed walking was 67% (standard deviation=14.0). Child population (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.36), pedestrian crossover (IRR 1.32), traffic light (IRR 1.19), and intersection densities (IRR 1.03), school crossing guard (IRR 1.14) and primary language other than English (IRR 1.20) were positively correlated with walking. Crossing guard presence reduced the influence of other features on walking. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first large observational study examining school travel mode and the environment. Walking proportions were higher than those previously reported in Toronto, with large variability. Associations between population density and several roadway design features and walking were confirmed. School crossing guards may override the influence of roadway features on walking. Results have important implications for policies regarding walking promotion. Crown
Authors: Linda Rothman; Alison K Macpherson; Andrew Howard; Patricia C Parkin; Sarah A Richmond; Catherine S Birken Journal: Prev Med Rep Date: 2016-10-26
Authors: Linda Rothman; Daniel Perry; Ron Buliung; Colin Macarthur; Teresa To; Alison Macpherson; Kristian Larsen; Andrew Howard Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2015-07-31 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Richard Larouche; Jean-Philippe Chaput; Geneviève Leduc; Charles Boyer; Priscilla Bélanger; Allana G LeBlanc; Michael M Borghese; Mark S Tremblay Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2014-05-23 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Cynthia K Perry; Corey Nagel; Linda K Ko; Catherine Duggan; Sandra Linde; Edgar A Rodriguez; Beti Thompson Journal: Prev Med Rep Date: 2015-09-21