Improving active travel to school and its surveillance: an overlooked opportunity in health promotion and chronic disease prevention

Transl Behav Med. 2022 Jul 18;12(7):810-815. doi: 10.1093/tbm/ibac023.

Abstract

Increasing active travel to school (ATS) could reduce the deficit in youth physical activity participation; however, surveillance of ATS is limited. Given that ATS contributes to our understanding of children's physical activity patterns nationwide, is influenced by local contexts and state laws, and occurs within communities, surveillance could be informative at the national, state, and local levels. Following a National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research workshop, this commentary offers insights into strengthening surveillance and data collection of ATS behavior as well as ATS environmental, policy, and program supports.

Keywords: Active travel; Measurement; Physical activity; Public health; School; Youth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Chronic Disease
  • Exercise
  • Health Promotion
  • Humans
  • Pediatric Obesity* / prevention & control
  • Schools