Citation

Heelan KA, Abbey BM, Donnelly JE, Mayo MS, Welk GJ. J. Phys. Act. Health 2009; 6(5): 560-567.

Affiliation

Human Performance Laboratory, University of Nebraska at Kearney, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

19953832

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Walking to and from school has potential to increase daily physical activity among children. METHODS: A Walking School Bus (WSB) intervention was implemented for 2 years in 2 schools with a third school as a control. The primary aim evaluated school-wide prevalence of walking to school by self-report 6 times (fall, winter, spring). The secondary aims compared objective physical activity levels among a subsample of research participants (intervention INT. = 201, control CON. = 123) and between frequency of walking to school groups. INT and CON participants wore an accelerometer during 4 time periods to assess daily physical activity and were measured for body mass index (BMI) and body fat each fall and spring. RESULTS: School-wide prevalence of walking to school frequently (> 50% of the time each week) was 27% higher in the WSB schools than in the control school. INT obtained significantly more daily physical activity than CON (78.0 38.9. vs 60.6 27.7. min/d, P < .05). In addition, across all schools, frequent walkers obtained 25% more physical activity (P < .05), gained 58% less body fat (P < .05), and attenuated BMI by 50% (P < .05) compared with passive commuters. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a WSB intervention may increase frequency of walking to school and establishes a link with increased daily physical activity.

Language: en