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Abstract
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Background
Physical activity in early childhood can impact favourably on later child and adult health and walking or cycling for transport, otherwise known as 'active travel', is recommended as a way of increasing activity levels in children and adults. This preliminary study focussed on active travel amongst pre-school aged children, an age group that has received little attention in this respect. It aimed to determine the prevalence of active travel in four pre-school settings and assess factors influencing travel patterns.
Methods
A cross sectional travel survey in four pre-schools: two in each of two contrasting socio-economic neighbourhoods was completed in April 2013.
Results
289 questionnaires were completed i.e. a response rate of 83.5%. Analysis focussed on the four pre-schools since sample heterogeneity precluded neighbourhood comparisons. Active travel prevalence for children usually arriving and/or collected for each pre-school was 40.8% (A), 56.9% (B), 34.1% (C) and 60.0% (D). Regression analysis showed that distance to pre-school, weather and other travel commitments independently predicted active travel.
Conclusion
This preliminary study identified factors associated with active travel amongst pre-school aged children and issues warranting further research. Addressing these could assist in developing effective strategies to promote active travel in the early years of life.
SR2S
Language: en |