Active school transport and fast food intake: Are there racial and ethnic differences?

Abstract

Objectives To investigate whether active school transport was associated with fast food consumption, and to examine differences across racial/ethnic groups. Methods Adolescent data (n=3,194) from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey were analyzed with logistic regression models to examine the association between active school transport (AST) and fast food intake across racial/ethnic groups. Results In the overall sample, AST during 1–2 days in the past week was associated with greater likelihood of fast food intake (OR: 1.58; 95%CI: 1.03–2.43), compared with zero days of AST, controlling for demographic and other factors. The association between AST and fast food intake differed significantly by race/ethnicity (p<0.01). Among Latino adolescents, greater frequency of AST was significantly associated with greater likelihood of fast food intake (1–2 days OR, 2.37, 95%CI: 1.05–5.35; 3–4 days OR, 2.78, 95%CI: 1.04–7.43; 5 days OR, 2.20, 95%CI: 1.23–3.93). Among White and Asian adolescents, there was a curvilinear pattern: relative to adolescents who reported zero days of AST, those who did AST 1–2 days/week had greater likelihood of fast food intake, but AST of 3–4 days and 5 days/week was associated respectively, with higher and lower likelihood of fast food intake among both groups. Conclusions AST appears to be a risk factor for fast food intake, and may expose some ethnic groups more than others to increased opportunity to purchase and consume fast food. Programs and policies to promote AST among adolescents should incorporate efforts to encourage healthy eating and discourage concentration of fast food outlets near schools.

Children’s Community Nutrition Environment, Food and Drink Purchases and Consumption on Journeys between Home and School: A Wearable Camera Study

“…Active school travel may also increase the exposure of children to fast-food purchasing opportunities, differentially by ethnicity. In a US study, active school travel increased the exposure of Latino children in California to fast-food but had limited impact for other ethnicities [ 52 ]. In the current study, children of all ethnicities were exposed to a higher density of unhealthy food outlets compared to healthy food outlets.…”

Trends and determinants of active school travel among Australian secondary school students: national cross‐sectional data from 2009 to 2018

“…Australian children are exposed to high levels of outdoor advertising for unhealthy food and drink on school routes, 32 with exposure to unhealthy food advertising known to encourage a preference for and purchasing of unhealthy foods by children 33 . International studies have found that among adolescents, active travel is associated with an increased likelihood of consumption of fast food compared to car travel, related to higher fast‐food purchasing opportunities 34 , 35 . Secondary students with pocket money are more likely to consume fast food (overall) than those with no pocket money 36 .…”

“…33 International studies have found that among adolescents, active travel is associated with an increased likelihood of consumption of fast food compared to car travel, related to higher fast-food purchasing opportunities. 34,35 Secondary students with pocket money are more likely to consume fast food (overall) than those with no pocket money. 36 Interventions to increase active travel should also mitigate the potential unintended consequences related to increased exposure to unhealthy food marketing and environments along the school journey.…”