Active transport: children and young people (an overview of recent evidence)

• Jan Garrard
• VicHealth

Read the full text.

01 February 2010In recent decades, changes in Australian lifestyles, urban environments and transportation systems have led to changed physical activity patterns among children. This report looks at trends and potential interventions.

Active transport, in particular, has declined dramatically in countries, including Australia, where car travel has become the predominant form of personal mobility. 

The report provides a summary of:

    •    Children’s participation in physical activity
    •    Active transport and children’s physical activity
    •    Active transport and children’s health
    •    Prevalence and trends in young people’s rates of active travel to school and other local destinations
    •    Correlates of children’s and young people’s active travel
    •    Interventions aimed at increasing children and young people’s rates of active travel
    •    Future directions for promoting active travel for children and young people in Australia