Active school transportation and the built environment across Canadian cities: Findings from the child active transportation safety and the environment (CHASE) study

Rothman, Linda; Hagel, Brent; Howard, Andrew; Cloutier, Marie Soleil; Macpherson, Alison; Nettel-Aguirre, Alberto; McCormack, Gavin R.; Fuselli, Pamela; Buliung, Ron; HubkaRao, Tate; Ling, Rebecca; Zanotto, Moreno; Rancourt, Mathieu; Winters, Meghan

doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106470

Cited by 42 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…If so, injury prevention interventions may remove barriers to parents and children choosing active modes of school transportation conferring additional 'safety in numbers' benefits in addition to positive health, social and environmental outcomes. [36][37][38][39] The proportion of cycling collisions was high, a full quarter of the PCMVC, despite that only a small proportion of children 12 This indicates that the risk of cycling may be higher than walking for children, aligned with findings for adults in the USA. 40 This finding suggests a particular need for separate bicycle infrastructure from motor vehicle infrastructure, including in neighbourhoods to facilitate children's safe travel.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

“…We observed the proportion of students arriving at school by walking, cycling or driving at a subset of schools (n=389) using a validated methodology 8 12. In the larger regions (eg, Toronto and Peel, Montreal and Laval), we used a stratified random sample of schools, based on neighbourhood socioeconomic status (using the after-tax low-income cut-off) and the Walkscore, a walkability index 12 13. This subsample was used in a secondary analysis, examining whether active transportation levels influence the relationship between built and social environment correlates and PCMVC.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Child pedestrian and cyclist injuries, and the built and social environment across Canadian cities: the Child Active Transportation Safety and the Environment Study (CHASE)

et al. 2022

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IntroductionTraffic injury is a leading and preventable cause of child death and disability, with child pedestrians and cyclists particularly vulnerable. Examining built environment correlates of child pedestrian and cyclist motor vehicle collisions (PCMVC) in different settings is needed to promote an evidence-based approach to road safety.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study across multiple urban/suburban environments in Canada (Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Laval, Peel Region). All public elementary schools were included (n=1030). We examined the role of land use/social environments, road environments and traffic safety interventions on the rates of child PCMVC within 1000 m of schools. Multivariable negative binomial regression was conducted for all cities and by individual city. In a subset of schools (n=389), we examined associations when controlling for active school transportation (AST).ResultsMean PCMVC rate per school ranged from 0.13 collisions/year in Peel to 0.35 in Montreal. Child PCMVC were correlated with land use, social and road environments and traffic safety interventions. In fully adjusted models, social and land use features remained the most important correlates. New immigrant population had the largest positive association with child PCMVC (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.26, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.50), while old housing (pre-1960) density was most protective (IRR: 0.83, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.90). AST was associated with PCMVC, but it had no effect on the relationships between PCMVC and other social/environmental correlates.ConclusionThe built environment and social factors influence rates of child PCMVC. Opportunities to reduce child PCMVC exist through modifications to city design and road environments and implementing traffic safety interventions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Child pedestrian and cyclist injuries, and the built and social environment across Canadian cities: the Child Active Transportation Safety and the Environment Study (CHASE)

et al. 2022

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“…This is mainly due to the inconsistency in approaches and measures used to evaluate built environment for youth [ 1 , 3 ]. According to current evidence, a child-friendly built environment has high walkability levels (e.g., well-connected streets) and provides access to recreational facilities (e.g., parks and playgrounds), that have been positively associated with physical activity (PA), including active commuting to/from school (ACS) and recreational play [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Furthermore, a positive built environment has a significant role in preventing non-communicable diseases reducing obesity rates, diabetes or coronary heart disease [ 1 , 4 , 12 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations between Park and Playground Availability and Proximity and Children’s Physical Activity and Body Mass Index: The BEACH Study

Molina‐García

Menescardi

Estevan

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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A cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the relationship between the availability and proximity to parks and playgrounds and physical activity (PA). Moreover, the accessibility to parks and playgrounds and its association with active commuting to/from school (ACS) and body mass index (BMI) were analyzed. The sample was composed of children aged 6–12 years old from the BEACH (Built Environment and Active CHildren) study in Valencia, Spain. The availability and proximity to parks and playgrounds were calculated at different buffer sizes (250, 500, 1000 and 1250 m) using geographical information system data. PA out of school was assessed using accelerometers. Sociodemographics and ACS were measured with a parent questionnaire. Objectively measured weight and height were used to calculate BMI. Mixed linear regression analyses were conducted for each exposure variable, adjusting for sociodemographics, neighborhood walkability level, and participant clustering. The number of parks and playgrounds were positively associated with moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and total PA (TPA); including light PA and MVPA, during weekdays, in different buffer sizes. A negative relationship between distance to the nearest playground and TPA during weekdays was found. In addition, the number of playgrounds was positively related to ACS in different buffer sizes, whereas park land area was negatively related to the BMI percentile. This study highlights the importance of assessing the availability and proximity to parks and playgrounds in children’s neighborhoods when PA behavior and weight status are analyzed. Study findings may help policymakers when targeting interventions to promote health-enhancing behaviors in children.

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“…Encouraging families to adopt active transportation such as walking and biking offers co-benefits to health and mitigation for GHG emissions. Active transportation has been linked to improved health by reducing the risk of obesity, improving cardiovascular health, and cognitive improvement (Mueller et al, 2015;Nicole, 2018;Rothman et al, 2021). However, parents or caregivers often have concerns about the safety of children engaging in active transportation to school and other locations (DiMaggio, Frangos, & Li, 2016;Ross, Rodríguez, & Searle, 2017) and should be encouraged to advocate for safe routes to school in their communities.…”

Section: Active Transportationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate Change and Health of Children: Our Borrowed Future

Leffers¹

2022

Journal of Pediatric Health Care

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Children are disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because of physiological, developmental, behavioral, and social factors. In addition, they are likely to bear the consequences of these impacts over their life course. This paper reviews the health impacts of climate change on children's health, highlights specific vulnerabilities and offers recommendations to pediatric health care professionals for mitigation, adaptation, policy, and personal interventions to address our changing climate. Health care professionals can help families in mitigation and adaptation strategies to reduce their risk from climate change.

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Active school transportation and the built environment across Canadian cities: Findings from the child active transportation safety and the environment (CHASE) study

Cited by 42 publications

References 38 publications

Child pedestrian and cyclist injuries, and the built and social environment across Canadian cities: the Child Active Transportation Safety and the Environment Study (CHASE)

Child pedestrian and cyclist injuries, and the built and social environment across Canadian cities: the Child Active Transportation Safety and the Environment Study (CHASE)

Associations between Park and Playground Availability and Proximity and Children’s Physical Activity and Body Mass Index: The BEACH Study

Climate Change and Health of Children: Our Borrowed Future

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