Characteristics Associated with US Walk to School Programs: A cross-sectional study

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  • Ward, Dianne
    • Affiliation: Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Nutrition
  • Linnan, Laura
    • Affiliation: Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Health Behavior
  • Vaughn, Amber
    • Affiliation: UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
  • Neelon, Brian
    • Affiliation: UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
  • Martin, Sarah L.
    • Other Affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
  • Fulton, Janet E.
    • Other Affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Abstract
  • Abstract Participation in Walk to School (WTS) programs has grown substantially in the US since its inception; however, no attempt has been made to systematically describe program use or factors associated with implementation of environment/policy changes. Objective Describe the characteristics of schools' WTS programs by level of implementation. Methods Representatives from 450 schools from 42 states completed a survey about their WTS program's infrastructure and activities, and perceived impact on walking to school. Level of implementation was determined from a single question to which respondents reported participation in WTS Day only (low), WTS Day and additional programs (medium), or making policy/environmental change (high). Results The final model showed number of community groups involved was positively associated with higher level of implementation (OR = 1.78, 95%CI = 1.44, 2.18), as was funding (OR = 1.56, 95%CI = 1.26, 1.92), years of participation (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.23, 1.70), and use of a walkability assessment (OR = 3.22, 95%CI = 1.84, 5.64). Implementation level was modestly associated with increased walking (r = 0.18). Conclusion Strong community involvement, some funding, repeat participation, and environmental audits are associated with progms that adopt environmental/policy change, and seem to facilitate walking to school.
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  • Article
Rights statement
  • In Copyright
Rights holder
  • Dianne S Ward et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
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Journal title
  • International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Journal volume
  • 4
Journal issue
  • 1
Page start
  • 67
Language
  • English
Is the article or chapter peer-reviewed?
  • Yes
ISSN
  • 1479-5868
Bibliographic citation
  • International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2007 Dec 19;4(1):67
Publisher
  • BioMed Central Ltd
Access right
  • Open Access
Date uploaded
  • August 24, 2012

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