This study identifies correlations between walking behaviors to school and relevant policy implications.
- Parents’ and children’s positive attitude, regular walking behavior, and supportive peer influences were positively correlated with walking to school.
- Distance and safety concerns were strongly negatively correlated with walking to school, as well as the presence of highways/freeways, convenience stores, office buildings, and bus stops en route.
- The findings of this study suggest that society should give high priority to lower socioeconomic status populations and to multi-agency policy interventions that facilitate environmental changes, safety improvements, and educational programs targeting both parents and children.
Zhu, Xuemei and Lee, Chanam. “Correlates of Walking to School and Implications for Public Policies: Survey Results from Parents of Elementary School Children in Austin, Texas.”Journal of Public Health Policy. 30 (2000): S177-S202.
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