Author

Dr Jenna Panter

Date

2010

Project Type

PhD Research

Subject

Epidemiology

Datasets

OS MasterMap (ITN, Topo); Census data

Sources: Digimap; UK Data Service Census Support (formerly UKBORDERS)

Dates/Editions: As available

Scales: Variable

Related Subjects

Geography; GIS; Transport

Key Words

Commuting; Physical activity

Publishing Institution

School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia

Summary

Abstract from the thesis: Whilst physical activity is widely acknowledged as being beneficial to health, few adults or children are sufficiently active. This is despite the recognition that activities such as walking or cycling to work or school, otherwise known as ‘active commuting’, can be integrated into daily life and may contribute towards overall levels of physical activity. As a result, understanding the underlying influences on active commuting behaviour is important if interventions are to be developed to promote it.

This thesis addresses the gap in knowledge surrounding the influences on active commuting behaviour by examining the correlates of this behaviour in children and adults from the county of Norfolk in the East of England. Existing research exploring the environmental influences on walking and cycling for transport in children is reviewed and a conceptual framework of these influences is presented. Three studies are then presented which investigate key areas relating to active commuting in primary schoolchildren; the first assesses it’s contribution to physical activity, whilst the second and third explore the influence of objectively measured and perceived social and physical environmental characteristics on active commuting. Building on the work in children, the research subsequently reviews the existing literature around the environmental and psychological influences on active commuting in adults, and examines these associations in a sample of older working adults.

The results from this research suggest that although a greater number of environmental characteristics were associated with children’s active commuting than adults, distance to work or school was an important predictor for both. In addition, habits for walking and cycling were strong predictors of adult’s active commuting. These findings indicate that the development of positive attitudes and habits towards walking or cycling as well as the provision of supportive environments may encourage active commuting behaviour. However, the efficacy of such interventions is unknown.

Use of Datasets

OS MasterMap Topographic and Integrated Transport Network (ITN) layers which have recently been made available through the Digimap service have been used. The ITN dataset has been used to examine network distance between participants and facilities. The accessibility measures were calculated using the Network Analyst extension in ArcGIS. OS MasterMap topographical datasets have also been used as the basis for creating measures of land use. Data sets from UKBORDERS are being used to gather a wide variety of census data regarding housing, unemployment, and car ownership. New data layers have been created using the 1:10 000 Colour Raster data as a backdrop for digitising and checking existing data sources.

Results/Outcome

Panter, Jenna (2010). Towards an understanding of the influences on active commuting. University of East Anglia, School of Environmental Sciences, Doctoral Thesis, 178pp.

References & Acknowledgements

The project was undertaken at the University of East Anglia and the MRC Epidemiology Unit Cambridge. The funders for this project are the National Preventive Research Initiative (NPRI).

Other Information

Dr Jenna Panter is now a Career Development Fellow at CEDAR: the Centre for Diet and Activity Research. More information about her current projects can be found here.