Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117031

Tracy E. McMillan, PhD, MPH, School of Architecture, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station B7500, Austin, TX 78712, 512/471-2708, tmcmillan@mail.utexas.edu

Over the past several years, the private vehicle has become the predominant mode of travel to school while walking and bicycling rates have decreased. Some suggest that this change in travel behavior contributes to negative health outcomes in children, including increased rates of 1) overweight/obesity through inactivity and 2) pedestrian and bicyclist fatality and injury. A series of recent policies and programs such as Safe Routes to School attribute the change in travel behavior to school to the built environment of communities. Limited research exists to support this hypothesis, however. A conceptual model of the relationship between the built environment and children's travel behavior is proposed that outlines the directional relationship between the hypothesized variables of influence. Survey data from parents of children in 3rd-5th grades on travel behavior and travel attitudes, along with assessments of the neighborhood built environment are used from twelve elementary schools across California. The analysis focused on testing a hypothesis of an indirect relationship between the built environment and children's travel behavior that is mediated by three factors—neighborhood safety, traffic safety and household transportation options. It also tested whether interactions between the mediating factors and sociodemographic, social/cultural norms and attitudinal factors influence children's travel behavior. Knowing more about how internal factors affect travel decisions, and the degree to which this influence may vary across segments of the population can assist in the development of more effective, equitable and healthy programs on active travel.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Recognize the complexity of the relationship between children’s travel, the built environment and health
• Identify key factors that play a role in this relationship
• Apply this knowledge in developing more effective, equitable and healthy programs for active travel

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.