by: Saundra Young – CNN Medical Senior Producer
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"The study is important for the well-being of children because most children are not meeting physical activity guidelines needed for optimal growth and development," explained Roman Pabayo of the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre and lead author of the study. "Active transportation to school represents an affordable and easy way to incorporate physical activity in the daily routines of children."
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"As they age, they are probably most likely to have access to a vehicle through friends and older siblings," Pabayo said. "There still is more room for children to use active transportation to school, our challenge is to raise the proportion of students that uses active transportation to school."
A study Pabayo conducted last year found children aged 6 to 8 who consistently walked or cycled to school lowered their BMI scores during a three-year period.
Pabayo acknowledges that safety is a concern. "We need interventions to help allow parents to be more comfortable allowing their kids to walk school."
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https://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/04/whos-walking-to-school/oldId.20110802020230950
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