Temporal trends and correlates of passive commuting to and from school in children from 9 provinces in China

Objective

To examine trends and correlates of passive (inactive) commuting to school among Chinese children aged 6-18 years in nine provinces.

Methods

The trends analysis used school commuting data from the China Health and Nutrition Surveys in 1997 (n = 2454), 2000 (n = 1978), 2004 (n = 1549) and 2006 (n = 1236). Generalized estimating equations examined trends after adjusting for age, sex and region, and also explored the correlates of passive commuting to school in urban and rural areas (n = 6935).

Results

An increase in passive commuting to school was noted (3.6% in 1997, 14.1% in 2006, P < 0.0001). Children attending schools not located in their local community were more likely to passively commute. In urban areas, maternal education was associated with increased passive commuting (AOR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.03-1.92). In rural areas, family income (AOR_high/low = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.52-2.96), paternal education (AOR_high/low = 1.56, 95%CI: 1.17-2.07), and motorcycle ownership (AOR = 1.57, 95%CI: 1.19-2.07) were associated with passive commuting.

Conclusion

Passive commuting to school increased in China over a decade and was associated with family socioeconomic status, school location, and in rural children, with access to motorized vehicles.