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Active Commuting and Healthy Behavior among Adolescents in Neighborhoods with Varying Socioeconomic Status: The NESLA Study

Author

Listed:
  • Benti Geleta Buli

    (Division of Public Health Sciences, Mälardalen University, 722 20 Västerås, Sweden)

  • Annika Tillander

    (Department of Computer and Information Science, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden)

  • Terence Fell

    (Division of Economics and Political Science, Mälardalen University, 722 20 Västerås, Sweden)

  • Katarina Bälter

    (Division of Public Health Sciences, Mälardalen University, 722 20 Västerås, Sweden
    Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden)

Abstract

(1) Background: The World Health Organization recommends active commuting as a source of physical activity. Active commuting is determined by various factors, including the socioeconomic status (SES) of families and neighborhoods, distance to schools, perceived neighborhood safety, lifestyles and availability of walkways and biking paths. This study aimed to assess factors associated with modes of transportation to and from school among adolescents aged 16–19 living in a middle-sized city in Sweden. (2) Method: Three hundred and fourteen students, of whom 55% were females, from schools in the city of Västerås participated in the study. Printed as well as web-based self-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data. (3) Results: Adolescents living in high SES neighborhoods were 80% more likely to bike or walk to school (OR = 1.80; CI: 1.01, 3.20) than adolescents living in low SES neighborhoods. Furthermore, active commuting was associated with higher consumption of fruits and vegetables (OR = 1.77; CI: 1.05, 2.97) and less consumption of junk foods (OR = 0.43; CI: 0.26, 0.71), as compared to passive commuting. (4) Conclusions: Active commuting is a cost-effective and sustainable source of regular physical activity and should be encouraged at a societal level.

Suggested Citation

  • Benti Geleta Buli & Annika Tillander & Terence Fell & Katarina Bälter, 2022. "Active Commuting and Healthy Behavior among Adolescents in Neighborhoods with Varying Socioeconomic Status: The NESLA Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:7:p:3784-:d:777003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yaira Barranco-Ruiz & Alfredo Xavier Guevara-Paz & Robinson Ramírez-Vélez & Palma Chillón & Emilio Villa-González, 2018. "Mode of Commuting to School and Its Association with Physical Activity and Sedentary Habits in Young Ecuadorian Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-12, November.
    2. Noreen McDonald & Ruth Steiner & W. Palmer & Allison Bullock & Virginia Sisiopiku & Benjamin Lytle, 2016. "Costs of school transportation: quantifying the fiscal impacts of encouraging walking and bicycling for school travel," Transportation, Springer, vol. 43(1), pages 159-175, January.
    3. Noreen C. McDonald & Ruth L. Steiner & W. Mathew Palmer & Allison N. Bullock & Virginia P. Sisiopiku & Benjamin F. Lytle, 2016. "Costs of school transportation: quantifying the fiscal impacts of encouraging walking and bicycling for school travel," Transportation, Springer, vol. 43(1), pages 159-175, January.
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    1. Preet Naik & Dolores Álamo-Junquera & Laura Igual & Marc Serrajordi & Albert Pérez & Carles Pericas & Constança Pagès-Fernández & Tarun Reddy Katapally & María Grau, 2024. "A Sustainable mHealth Intervention to Promote Physical Activity for Healthy Aging: A Pilot Study of the “Every Walk You Take” Citizen Science Initiative," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-12, June.

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