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Molina-García J, Campos S, García-Massó X, Herrador-Colmenero M, Gálvez-Fernández P, Molina-Soberanes D, Queralt A, Chillón P. Different neighborhood walkability indexes for active commuting to school are necessary for urban and rural children and adolescents. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2020; 17:124. [PMID: 32993682 PMCID: PMC7526424 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-020-01028-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Literature focusing on youth has reported limited evidence and non-conclusive associations between neighborhood walkability measures and active commuting to and from school (ACS). Moreover, there is a lack of studies evaluating both macro- and micro-scale environmental factors of the neighborhood when ACS is analyzed. Likewise, most studies on built environment attributes and ACS focus on urban areas, whereas there is a lack of studies analyzing rural residential locations. Moreover, the relationship between built environment attributes and ACS may differ in children and adolescents. Hence, this study aimed to develop walkability indexes in relation to ACS for urban and rural children and adolescents, including both macro- and micro-scale school-neighborhood factors. METHODS A cross-sectional study of 4593 participants from Spain with a mean age of 12.2 (SD 3.6) years was carried out. Macro-scale environmental factors were evaluated using geographic information system data, and micro-scale factors were measured using observational procedures. Socio-demographic characteristics and ACS were assessed with a questionnaire. Several linear regression models were conducted, including all the possible combinations of six or less built environment factors in order to find the best walkability index. RESULTS Analyses showed that intersection density, number of four-way intersections, and residential density were positively related to ACS in urban participants, but negatively in rural participants. In rural children, positive streetscape characteristics, number of regulated crossings, traffic calming features, traffic lanes, and parking street buffers were also negatively related to ACS. In urban participants, other different factors were positively related to ACS: number of regulated crossings, positive streetscape characteristics, or crossing quality. Land use mix acted as a positive predictor only in urban adolescents. Distance to the school was a negative predictor on all the walkability indexes. However, aesthetic and social characteristics were not included in any of the indexes. CONCLUSIONS Interventions focusing on improving built environments to increase ACS behavior need to have a better understanding of the walkability components that are specifically relevant to urban or rural samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Molina-García
- Department of Teaching of Musical, Visual and Corporal Expression, University of Valencia, Avda. dels Tarongers, 4, 46022, Valencia, Spain.
- AFIPS research group, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Sergio Campos
- Department of Urban and Spatial Planning, University of Granada, C/ Severo Ochoa, s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Xavier García-Massó
- Department of Teaching of Musical, Visual and Corporal Expression, University of Valencia, Avda. dels Tarongers, 4, 46022, Valencia, Spain
- AFIPS research group, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Herrador-Colmenero
- "La Inmaculada" Teacher Training Centre, University of Granada, C/ Joaquina Eguaras, 114, 18013, Granada, Spain
| | - Patricia Gálvez-Fernández
- Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, PROFITH "Promoting FITness and Health through physical activity" research group, Ctra. Alfacar, s/n, 18011, Granada, Spain
| | - Daniel Molina-Soberanes
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Avda. de la Investigación, 11, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Queralt
- AFIPS research group, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Nursing, University of Valencia, Jaume Roig, s/n, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Palma Chillón
- Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, PROFITH "Promoting FITness and Health through physical activity" research group, Ctra. Alfacar, s/n, 18011, Granada, Spain
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