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Individual, social and neighbourhood correlates of cycling among children living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods

journal contribution
posted on 2020-02-01, 00:00 authored by Lisa Bell, Anna TimperioAnna Timperio, Jenny VeitchJenny Veitch, Alison Carver
Objectives: To describe cycling behaviours and examine individual, social and neighbourhood correlates of cycling among children living in socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: Mothers of 289 children (46% boys) aged 8–15 (mean 12 ± 2.2) years living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Victoria, Australia were surveyed about their child's cycling frequency and duration in a typical week. Perceptions of cycling, cycling ability, cycling behaviours and road safety were proxy- and self-reported by mothers. Shortest road distance from home to school was determined using a Geographic Information System. Multivariable logistic regression analyses examined associations between individual, social and neighbourhood variables and cycling frequency (>once/week) and duration (>60 min/week). Results: Overall, 70% of boys and 49% of girls cycled > once/week; rates of cycling for >60 min/week were 60% and 32%, respectively. Children had greater odds of cycling > once/week if they enjoyed cycling for fun (OR = 13.3, 95%CI = 2.0, 86.9). Children had greater odds of cycling for >60 min/week if they enjoyed cycling for fun (OR = 17.1, 95%CI = 1.7, 167.7) or if they were allowed to cycle on main roads (OR = 3.2, 95%CI = 1.1, 9.1). Children who had to cross several roads to access play areas had lower odds of cycling for >60 min/week (OR = 0.3, 95%CI = 0.1, 0.7). Conclusions: Future research should investigate strategies to increase children's enjoyment of cycling, independent mobility and safe access by cycling to key destinations such as play areas.

History

Journal

Journal of science and medicine in sport

Volume

23

Issue

2

Pagination

157 - 163

Publisher

Elsevier

Location

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

ISSN

1440-2440

eISSN

1878-1861

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2019, Sports Medicine Australia