Policy Research

Factors influencing whether children walk to school

Jason G. Su, Michael Jerrett, Rob McConnell, Kiros Berhane, Genevieve Dunton, Ketan Shankardass, Kim Reynolds, Robert Chang, Jennifer Wolch

Summary

This article examined multi-level factors influencing whether students walk to school. Greater walking rates were found amongst children living in poverty and lower of those with higher socioeconomic status. Additionally, children from lower income communities also were found to face environmental and safety concerns but were still more likely to walk to school.

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Policy Implications

Policy interventions that encourage the support of infrastructure that make it both safe and easy for children to walk to school could help fight increasing childhood obesity. Encouraging the development of environment that facilitates physical activity for children is needed to improve public health.