scholarly journals Children’s Active School Travel: Examining the Combined Perceived and Objective Built-Environment Factors from Space Syntax

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 286
Author(s):  
Ayse Ozbil ◽  
Demet Yesiltepe ◽  
Gorsev Argin ◽  
Greg Rybarczyk
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Space Syntax ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Street Network ◽  
School Travel ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Active Commuting To School ◽  
Active School Travel ◽  
Using Data

Increasing active school travel (AST) among children may provide the required level of daily physical activity and reduce the prevalence of obesity. Despite efforts to promote this mode, recent evidence shows that AST rates continue to decrease in suburban and urban areas alike. The aim of this research study, therefore, is to facilitate our understanding of how objective and perceived factors near the home influence children’s AST in an understudied city, İstanbul, Turkey. Using data from a cross-sectional sample of students aged 12–14 from 20 elementary schools (n = 1802) and consenting parents (n = 843), we applied a nominal logistic regression model to highlight important predictors of AST. The findings showed that street network connectivity (as measured by two novel space syntax measures, metric reach and directional reach) was the main deciding factor for active commuting to school, while parents’ perceptions of condition of sidewalks and shade-casting street trees were moderately significant factors associated with AST. Overall, this study demonstrated the significance of spatial structure of street network around the homes in the potential for encouraging AST, and more importantly, the need to consider objective and perceived environmental attributes when strategizing means to increase this mode choice and reduce ill-health among children.

scholarly journals The Impact of the Ring Roads on the Location Pattern of Shops in Town and City Centres. A Space Syntax Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3927
Author(s):  
Akkelies van Nes
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Space Syntax ◽  
Optimal Location ◽  
Spatial Integration ◽  
Street Network ◽  
Location Pattern ◽  
Ring Road ◽  
Road Projects ◽  
The Impact ◽  
City Centres

This contribution demonstrates how inner ring roads change the location pattern of shops in urban areas with the application of the space syntax method. A market rational behaviour persists, in that shop owners always search for an optimal location to reach as many customers as possible. If the accessibility to this optimal location is affected by changes in a city’s road and street structure, it will affect the location pattern of shops. Initially, case studies of inner ring road projects in Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Bristol, Tampere, and Mannheim show how their realisation affect the spatial structure of the street network of these cities and the location pattern of shops. The results of the spatial integration analyses of the street and road network are discussed with reference to changes in land-use before and after the implementation of ring roads, and current space syntax theories. As the results show, how an inner ring road is connected to and the type of the street network it is imposed upon dictates the resulting location pattern of shops. Shops locate and relocate themselves along the most spatially-integrated streets. Evidence on how new road projects influence the location pattern of shops in urban centres are useful for planning sustainable city centres.

scholarly journals Children’s Experiences of Their Journey to School: Integrating Behaviour Change Frameworks to Inform the Role of the Built Environment in Active School Travel Promotion

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4992
Author(s):  
Nafsika Michail ◽  
Ayse Ozbil ◽  
Rosie Parnell ◽  
Stephanie Wilkie
Keyword(s):  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Theoretical Domains Framework ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
School Travel ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Active School Travel ◽  
Affective Experiences

Childhood obesity is a public health problem with multiple effects on children’s life. Promoting Active School Travel (AST) could provide an inclusive opportunity for physical activity and shape healthy behaviours. Data for this cross-sectional study were drawn from questionnaires carried out in five primary schools located in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, in neighbourhoods chosen for their variability in IMD (index of multiple deprivation) and spatial structure of street networks (measured through space syntax measure of integration). A randomly selected and heterogenic sample of 145 pupils (aged 9–10) completed an open-ended questionnaire to state what they like and dislike about their journey to school. Thematic analysis identified four typologies (environmental context, emotions, social influences and trip factors) based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and specific themes and sub-themes underlying children’s affective experiences of their journeys to school. This study is the first known to authors to attempt to adapt the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation Behaviour (COM-B) model into AST and children’s experiences and associated behavioural domains with design aspects. Such an insight into children’s attitudes could inform urban planners and designers about how to apply more effective behaviour change interventions, targeting an AST increase among children.

scholarly journals Like Mother, like Son: Physical Activity, Commuting, and Associated Demographic Factors

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 5631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Brand ◽  
Cézane Priscila Reuter ◽  
Arieli Fernandes Dias ◽  
Jorge Mota ◽  
Michael Duncan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Skin Color ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Living Area

A mother’s healthy conduct may lead to the healthy conduct of their children. Thus, this study aimed to verify the role of demographic factors in the relationship between mothers’ physical activity (PA) and commuting to work with children and adolescent’s PA and commuting to school. This cross-sectional study comprised 1421 children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years and 1421 mothers, from Brazil. PA, commuting, socioeconomic status (SES), skin color/ethnicity, and living area were evaluated by questionnaire. Logistic binary regression models were used. Results indicated that mothers’ PA and commuting were associated with children and adolescent’s PA and commuting to school in crude and adjusted models. Considering the role of the demographic factors, an association was only observed for girls in the relationship between mother’s PA with children’s PA. In adolescents, an association was observed in both high/low SES, boys/girls, and rural/urban areas. Regarding children and adolescent active commuting to school, there was an association with mothers commuting. All demographic factors were strongly associated, except for rural areas. Therefore, mothers’ PA as well as commuting to work are associated with children and adolescent’s PA and commuting to school. Sex, living area, and SES are the related demographic factors.

Neighborhood Perceptions and Active Commuting to School Among Adolescent Boys and Girls

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norah M. Nelson ◽  
Catherine B. Woods
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Walking Distance ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Public Parks ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Road ◽  
Active Commuting To School ◽  
Land Use Mix

Background:Active commuting (AC) to school can increase daily minutes of physical activity yet research is lacking on its determinants. This study examined perceptions of the physical environment as a correlate of AC among adolescents.Methods:Cross-sectional data were collected from 1143 males and 1016 females (mean age 16.04 ± 0.66) who lived within 2.5 miles of their school. Participants’ self-reported active (walk or cycle) or inactive (car, bus, or train) mode of travel to school and perceptions of their neighborhood environment. Bivariate logistic regression examined perceived environmental features associated with active versus inactive modes, adjusted for sociodemographic factors. Significant variables were examined in multivariate models, adjusted for population density and distance.Results:Positive correlates of AC included well-lit streets, land-use-mix diversity, access to shops/public transport, the presence of public parks/bike lanes, and accessible well-maintained paths. Connectivity was unrelated to mode choice. In multivariate analyses, land-use-mix diversity, and the perceived presence of public parks remained significant among males, whereas excess traffic speed, shops within walking distance, and paths separate from the road remained significant among females.Conclusions:Environmental characteristics were associated with active commuting to school, however research must address methodological issues before making recommendations for intervention.

The Influence of Distance to School on the Associations Between Active Commuting and Physical Activity

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenna Panter ◽  
Andrew Jones ◽  
Esther Van Sluijs ◽  
Simon Griffin
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young People ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Environmental Determinants ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Active Commuting To School ◽  
Walking To School

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the associations between active commuting behavior, levels of physical activity and distance to school in 9–10 year old children. Participants were children (n = 1824) who took part in the SPEEDY study (Sport, Physical activity and Eating behavior: Environmental Determinants in Young people). For both boys and girls, significant positive associations were observed between walking to school and physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during weekday journey times (8–9am and 3–4pm), and the size of association also became stronger with increasing distance from school. Promotion of active commuting to school might be an important way to increase levels of physical activity in school children.

scholarly journals Climate impact from diet in relation to background and sociodemographic characteristics in the Västerbotten Intervention Programme

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (17) ◽  
pp. 3288-3297
Author(s):  
Anna Strid ◽  
Elinor Hallström ◽  
Therese Hjorth ◽  
Ingegerd Johansson ◽  
Bernt Lindahl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Educational Level ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Climate Impact ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Northern Sweden ◽  
Intervention Programme ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Using Data

AbstractObjective:The objective of this study was to examine climate impact from diet across background and sociodemographic characteristics in a population-based cohort in northern Sweden.Design:A cross-sectional study within the Västerbotten Intervention Programme. Dietary data from a 64-item food frequency questionnaire collected during 1996–2016 were used. Energy-adjusted greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) for all participants, expressed as kg carbon dioxide equivalents/day and 4184 kJ (1000 kcal), were estimated using data from life cycle analyses. Differences in background and sociodemographic characteristics were examined between participants with low and high GHGE from diet, respectively. The variables evaluated were age, BMI, physical activity, marital status, level of education, smoking, and residence.Setting:Västerbotten county in northern Sweden.Participants:In total, 46 893 women and 45 766 men aged 29–65 years.Results:Differences in GHGE from diet were found across the majority of examined variables. The strongest associations were found between GHGE from diet and age, BMI, education, and residence (all P < 0·001), with the highest GHGE from diet found among women and men who were younger, had a higher BMI, higher educational level, and lived in urban areas.Conclusions:This study is one of the first to examine climate impact from diet across background and sociodemographic characteristics. The results show that climate impact from diet is associated with age, BMI, residence and educational level amongst men and women in Västerbotten, Sweden. These results define potential target populations where public health interventions addressing a move towards more climate-friendly food choices and reduced climate impact from diet could be most effective.

Neighborhood Built Environment and Socioeconomic Status in Relation to Active Commuting to School in Children

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 761-765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Molina-García ◽  
Ana Queralt
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Neighborhood Walkability ◽  
Active Commuting To School ◽  
Children's Home ◽  
Neighborhood Built Environment

Background:The role of neighborhood type in active commuting to school (ACS) has not been extensively studied in children. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between neighborhood built environment (walkability) and neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) with ACS among children.Methods:A cross-sectional study of 310 Spanish children (aged 10–12 y; 51% male) was conducted in 2015. Walkability was defined as an index of 3 built environment characteristics (ie, residential density, land-use mix, and street connectivity) based on geographical information system data. Children’s home and school neighborhoods were evaluated. ACS was evaluated by questionnaire. Mixed model regression analyses evaluated ACS in relation to neighborhood walkability and SES.Results:There were no significant SES–walkability interactions for ACS. Children living in more walkable neighborhoods reported 2.5 more trips per week compared with those living in less walkable neighborhoods (P < .001). Children attending schools located in lower SES neighborhoods reported more ACS trips per week than those attending schools in higher SES neighborhoods (P < .05).Conclusions:Home-neighborhood walkability and school-neighborhood SES were associated with ACS. This study highlights the importance of assessing children’s home environment and school environment when ACS behavior is analyzed.

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