@article{ref1,
title="Correlates of children's independent mobility in Canada: a multi-site study",
journal="International journal of environmental research and public health",
year="2019",
author="Riazi, Negin A. and Blanchette, Sébastien and Trudeau, Francois and Larouche, Richard and Tremblay, Mark S. and Faulkner, Guy",
volume="16",
number="16",
pages="e16162862-e16162862",
abstract="Globally, physical inactivity is a concern, and children's independent mobility (CIM) may be an important target behavior for addressing the physical inactivity crisis. The aim of this study was to examine correlates of CIM (8-12 years old) in the Canadian context to inform future interventions. CIM was measured via parent surveys. Individual, social, and environmental correlates of CIM were examined using a social-ecological framework. 1699 participants' data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and gender-stratified linear mixed-effects models while controlling for site, area-level socioeconomic status, and type of urbanization. Individual correlates including child grade (<i>β</i> = 0.612, <i>p</i> < 0.001), language spoken at home (<i>β</i> = -0.503, <i>p</i> < 0.001), car ownership (<i>β</i> = -0.374, <i>p</i> < 0.05), and phone ownership (<i>β</i> = 0.593, <i>p</i> < 0.001) were associated with CIM. For boys, parental gender (<i>β</i> = -0.387, <i>p</i> < 0.01) was negatively associated with CIM. Parents' perceptions of safety and environment were significantly associated with CIM. Location (i.e., site) was significantly associated with CIM (ref: Trois-Rivières; Ottawa (<i>β</i> = -1.188, <i>p</i> < 0.001); Vancouver (<i>β</i> = -1.216, <i>p</i> < 0.001)). Suburban environments were negatively associated with boys' independent mobility (<i>β</i> = -0.536, <i>p</i> < 0.05), while walkability (400 m <i>β</i> = 0.064, <i>p</i> < 0.05; 1600 m <i>β</i> = -0.059, <i>p</i> < 0.05) was significantly associated with girls' independent mobility only. Future research and interventions should consider targeting &quot;modifiable factors&quot; like children's and parents' perceptions of neighborhood safety and environment.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1661-7827",
doi="10.3390/ijerph16162862",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16162862"
}