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

ObjectiveTo examine trends and correlates of passive (inactive) commuting to school among Chinese children aged 6–18 years in nine provinces.MethodsThe 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).ResultsAn 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 (AORhigh/low = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.52–2.96), paternal education (AORhigh/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.ConclusionPassive 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.

► Passive commuting to school increased in China over a decade.
► Children whose school was not in the local community were more likely to passively commute.
► Socioeconomic status was associated with passive commuting.
► In rural areas, motorcycle ownership was associated with passive commuting.