Active Commuting, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Behaviors in Children and Adolescents from Spain: Findings from the ANIBES Study

Raquel Aparicio-Ugarriza, Juan Mielgo-Ayuso, Emma Ruiz, José Manuel Ávila, Javier Aranceta-Bartrina, Ángel Gil, Rosa M. Ortega, Lluis Serra-Majem, Gregorio Varela-Moreiras and Marcela González-Gross
Additional contact information
Raquel Aparicio-Ugarriza: ImFINE Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, C/Martín Fierro 7, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Juan Mielgo-Ayuso: ImFINE Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, C/Martín Fierro 7, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Emma Ruiz: CIBERESP, Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health, Carlos III Health Institute, 28029 Madrid, Spain
José Manuel Ávila: Spanish Nutrition Foundation (FEN), C/General Álvarez de Castro 20, 1ªpta, 28010 Madrid, Spain
Javier Aranceta-Bartrina: CIBEROBN (Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition CB12/03/30038), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
Ángel Gil: CIBEROBN (Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition CB12/03/30038), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
Rosa M. Ortega: Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Lluis Serra-Majem: CIBEROBN (Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition CB12/03/30038), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
Gregorio Varela-Moreiras: Spanish Nutrition Foundation (FEN), C/General Álvarez de Castro 20, 1ªpta, 28010 Madrid, Spain
Marcela González-Gross: ImFINE Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, C/Martín Fierro 7, 28040 Madrid, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-12

Abstract: Active commuting (AC) has been proposed as a great opportunity to increase physical activity level (PA) in children and adolescents. The aim of the present study is to determine the associations between AC (walk and cycle commuting) and non-AC (motor vehicle commuting) with PA levels, and with AC and sedentarism in Spanish children and adolescents. A representative Spanish sample of 424 children and adolescents (38% females) was involved in the ANIBES (Anthropometry, Dietary Intake and Lifestyle in Spain) Study in 2013. Data on the levels of AC, non-AC, PA, and sedentarism were obtained using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for adolescents. Stepwise backward univariate generalized linear and linear regression models were performed. In girls, walking was associated with playground PA, moderate PA, and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) (β = 0.007, p < 0.05; both β = 0.007, p < 0.01), respectively. In boys, walking was associated with all PA levels ( p < 0.05); while cycling was related to moderate PA and MVPA (both β = 0.007, p < 0.05). A negative significant association was observed between AC and time spent studying without Internet use in boys (β = −0.184, p < 0.05). Commuting by walking contributes to increased daily PA in both sexes, whereas cycling was only related to moderate PA and MVPA in boys. Sedentary behaviors are not related to AC, but studying without Internet use was negatively associated with AC in boys.

Keywords: walking; cycling; physical activity; sedentary behaviors; youth; ANIBES study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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