Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of active commuting to school in a nationwide representative sample of German adolescents

Objective. To assess the prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of walking and cycling to school in a nationwide representative cross-sectional sample of German adolescents. Methods. A sample of 1828 German adolescents aged 11-17 years were examined between 2003 and 2006. Mode of commuting to school was assessed using a reliable self-report measure. Socioeconomic status, migration background and residential area were assessed as socio-demographic variables using a parent-report questionnaire. Results. Overall, 19.4% of adolescents walked and 22.2% cycled to school. Compared to girls with high socioeconomic status, girls with low socioeconomic status were more likely to walk (OR=1.89, 95% CI=123-2.89). Migration background increased the chance of walking in girls (OR=0.47, 95% CI=0.32-0.70) and decreased the chance of cycling in boys (OR=239, 95% CI=135-424). Compared to living in cities, living in rural areas lowered the chance of walking (girls: OR=0.29, 95% CI=0.18-0.50; boys: OR=0.54, 95% CI=032-0.93) and cycling (girls: OR=0.12, 95% CI=0.06-024; boys: OR=0.34, 95% CI=0.21-0.56), and living in medium-sized towns increased the chance of cycling in girls (OR=1.86, 95% CI=1.24-2.78) and boys (OR=1.75, 95% CI=1.20-2.56), respectively. Conclusions. In Germany many adolescents use motorised transportation. Socio-demographic variables were associated with mode of commuting. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.