Disney-Pixar to the rescue: harnessing positive affect for enhancing children’s active mobility

Declines in children’s active transport and independent mobility have been dramatic in many western nations over recent decades. Despite the growing understanding of policy changes that would lead to increases in children’s active transport, it has not been possible to reverse the trends in children’s mobilities in most nations. This paper focuses on the potential for using two Disney-Pixar movies as allegories for the links between children’s mobilities and major resource, health and environmental issues facing humanity. These include energy stress (particularly oil vulnerability), the health impacts of decreasing physical activity, and the likely environmental outcomes of ‘business as usual’ in modern western societies. The paper explains how the use of themes in Monsters, Inc. and WALL-E, facilitates the harnessing of the positive affect that may motivate changes in values and behaviour to enhance children’s independent mobility and active transport.

► Children’s active mobility has declined markedly in many nations over recent decades. ► Strategies for reversing these declines have been identified, yet declines continue. ► Most studies of children’s mobilities explore ‘rational’ reasons for declines. ► Popular film provides a basis for qualitative approaches to children’s mobility. ► Disney/Pixar films can produce positive affect to help enhance children’s mobilities.