Conference Agenda

Background

Active school travel (AST) represents an accessible form of daily physical activity embedded in children's lived environments. However, longitudinal evidence on family influences across primary school years remains limited. This study examined whether family characteristics are longitudinally associated with children's active versus inactive school travel, beyond well-established environmental factors such as distance to school.

Methods

Parent-reported data from 230 children (51% girls) in the KOMPASS(2) school-based cohort (Leipzig, Germany) assessed in first, third, and fourth grade were analysed. School travel mode and family characteristics (e.g. parental behaviours, family structure, education) were measured via questionnaire. Generalized estimating equations examined associations with active (walking/cycling) versus motorized school travel, adjusting for walking time to school. Multinomial logistic regression compared specific travel modes.

Results

The likelihood of AST increased over time (OR=1.49, 95%-CI 1.20–1.84). Living in a two-parent household (OR=2.42, 95%-CI 1.31–4.46) was positively associated with AST. In multinomial analyses, parental walking, support, and sports club membership were associated with greater odds of walking versus car, while children from two-parent households were more likely to cycle versus car. Higher parental education was associated with greater car use relative to active modes and favoured cycling over walking.

Conclusions

From a longitudinal perspective, this study highlights that family context shapes AST across primary school years independent of distance to school. Family characteristics were differentially associated with car use and active modes, with further differentiation between walking and cycling. Promoting AST therefore requires strategies that address parental behaviours, family structure, and socioeconomic resources alongside environmental approaches.