Active travel may have positive effects on health outcomes , but there is little robust evidence to date of the effectiveness of active transport interventions for reducing obesity .
BACKGROUND Increasing active travel ( primarily walking and cycling ) has been widely advocated for reducing obesity levels and achieving other population health benefits .
However , the strength of evidence underpinning this strategy is unclear .
This study aim ed to assess the evidence that active travel has significant health benefits .
Active transportation to school over 2 years in relation to weight status and physical activity.
OBJECTIVE To prospect ively examine potential benefits of active commuting to school on measures of weight status and physical activity in a sample of youth . RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES A cohort of students from seven elementary schools was measured four times -- in the fall and spring of fourth grade ( N = 1083 ) and fifth grade ( N = 924 ) . Participants were classified as active ( walking , biking , or skateboarding to school almost every day for baseline analyses or at least 2 d/wk for analyses of consistent active commuting ) or non-active commuters to school . Accelerometers were used to measure physical activity . Height , weight , and skinfolds were objective ly assessed . RESULTS Boys who actively commuted to school had lower BMI ( p < 0.01 ) and skinfolds ( p < 0.05 ) than non-active commuters to school in the fourth grade . Active commuting to school over 2 years was not associated with BMI change or overweight status . DISCUSSION Walking and cycling to school may contribute to preventing excessive weight gain , or leaner children may walk or cycle to school
Active travel may have positive effects on health outcomes , but there is little robust evidence to date of the effectiveness of active transport interventions for reducing obesity .
BACKGROUND Increasing active travel ( primarily walking and cycling ) has been widely advocated for reducing obesity levels and achieving other population health benefits .
However , the strength of evidence underpinning this strategy is unclear .
This study aim ed to assess the evidence that active travel has significant health benefits .