Evaluation of a walking school bus program: a cluster randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a walking school bus intervention on children's active commuting to school.

Methods

We conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in Houston, Texas (Year 1) and Seattle, Washington (Years 2-4) from 2012 to 2016. The study had a two-arm, cluster randomized design comparing the intervention (walking school bus and education materials) to the control (education materials) over one school year October/November - May/June). Twenty-two schools that served lower income families participated. Outcomes included percentage of days students' active commuting to school (primary, measured via survey) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA, measured via accelerometry). Follow-up took place in May or June.

SUBMITTER: Johnson AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11083767 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature