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Active Transportation to School Over 2 Years in Relation to Weight Status and Physical Activity
Author(s) -
Rosenberg Dori E.,
Sallis James F.,
Conway Terry L.,
Cain Kelli L.,
McKenzie Thomas L.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1038/oby.2006.204
Subject(s) - overweight , physical activity , demography , medicine , cohort , cycling , gerontology , physical therapy , body mass index , geography , archaeology , sociology
Objective: To prospectively examine potential benefits of active commuting to school on measures of weight status and physical activity in a sample of youth. Research Methods and Procedures: A cohort of students from seven elementary schools was measured four times—in the fall and spring of fourth grade ( N = 1083) and fifth grade ( N = 924). Participants were classified as active (walking, biking, or skateboarding to school almost every day for baseline analyses or at least 2 d/wk for analyses of consistent active commuting) or non‐active commuters to school. Accelerometers were used to measure physical activity. Height, weight, and skinfolds were objectively assessed. Results: Boys who actively commuted to school had lower BMI ( p < 0.01) and skinfolds ( p < 0.05) than non‐active commuters to school in the fourth grade. Active commuting to school over 2 years was not associated with BMI change or overweight status. Discussion: Walking and cycling to school may contribute to preventing excessive weight gain, or leaner children may walk or cycle to school.