Exploring individual, interpersonal, community, and environmental correlates of active commuting to school among Spanish adolescents: the PACO study

Abstract

Objectives To identify and analyze the individual, interpersonal, community, and environmental factors associated with active commuting to school (ACS) among Spanish adolescents, and to examine the contribution of correlates from multiple ecological domains to ACS. Methods A total of 307 Spanish adolescents (14.4 ± 0.6 years) participated. Data on potential correlates of ACS were collected using validated questionnaires (individual and interpersonal levels), school and city information (community level), and GIS-based indicators and MAPS-Global audits (environmental level). Binary logistic regression models were conducted separately for each ecological level, followed by a multivariable model including all significant factors. Results At the individual level, ownership of two or more motorized vehicles, identified motivation, and perceived environmental/safety barriers were associated with lower odds of ACS, whereas independent mobility, perceived competence for ACS, and integrated motivation were associated with higher odds. At the interpersonal level, parental barriers were associated with lower odds of ACS, whereas greater perceived proximity to destinations was associated with higher odds of ACS. At the community level, attending high-SES schools reduced the odds of ACS compared with low-SES schools. Environmentally, shorter home-school distance, greater leisure-time PA opportunities around the school, and higher aesthetic and social quality of the home neighborhood were significant correlates. In the final multivariable model, ACS was positively associated with perceived competence, integrated motivation, aesthetic and social quality, and higher active transport score around the home, whereas motorized vehicle ownership, identified motivation, perceived environmental/safety barriers, destinations and land use score, higher home-school distance, and higher grand score for leisure PA for home were negatively associated. Conclusion ACS among Spanish adolescents was associated with multiple individual and environmental correlates.