TY - JOUR
T1 - Parental involvement in active transport to school initiatives
T2 - A multi-site case study
AU - Eyler, Amy
AU - Baldwin, Julie
AU - Carnoske, Cheryl
AU - Nickelson, Jan
AU - Troped, Philip
AU - Steinman, Lesley
AU - Pluto, Delores
AU - Litt, Jill
AU - Evenson, Kelly
AU - Terpstra, Jennifer
AU - Brownson, Ross
AU - Schmid, Thomas
N1 - Funding Information:
The purpose of this article is to iden tify and describe factors related to parental involvement with ATS initiatives. Because parents may be a key influence in the outcome of ATS, highlighting factors that act as barriers or enablers to involvement can be useful to future ATS initiatives. This study was conducted as an activity of the Physical Activity Policy Research Network (PAPRN), a thematic research network funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since 2004. It is made up of researchers from nine Prevention Research Centers (PRC), one affiliate center, and various partners. One goal of the PAPRN is to study the effectiveness of policies related to increasing physical activity in communities.
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - Background: Increasing physical activity in youth is a recommended approach to curbing the childhood obesity epidemic. One way to help increase children’s daily activity is to promote active transportation to and from school (ATS). Purpose: The purpose of this case study was to explore parental perception of and participation in, ATS initiatives. Methods: This study is part of a larger project on ATS initiatives conducted by the Physical Activity Policy Research Network. Sixty-nine key informants, including 10 parents, were interviewed at nine diverse elementary schools being studied for their ATS policies. A standard interview guide was used. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Results: Analysis revealed that parental support was a necessary component for ATS success. The parents' roles varied greatly. Most parents chose to become involved in ATS for a specificreason (e.g., promoting health). The parents and other key informants interviewed expressed participation benefits such as promoting healthy behaviors, increasing social opportunities, promoting neighborhood awareness, and fostering community improvement. Barriers to participation included lack of time, language barriers, and preference for auto travel. Parents also had safety concerns about ATS. Discussion: Parents can be valuable resources in school ATS programs, as noted by parents and key informants. Their level of involvement can vary from coordinating a program to leading a walking group; whatever the case, parental participation facilitates a successful initiative. Translation to Health Education Practice: ATS initiatives provide a way for parents to become involved in a school program that has personal health, social, and community benefits.
AB - Background: Increasing physical activity in youth is a recommended approach to curbing the childhood obesity epidemic. One way to help increase children’s daily activity is to promote active transportation to and from school (ATS). Purpose: The purpose of this case study was to explore parental perception of and participation in, ATS initiatives. Methods: This study is part of a larger project on ATS initiatives conducted by the Physical Activity Policy Research Network. Sixty-nine key informants, including 10 parents, were interviewed at nine diverse elementary schools being studied for their ATS policies. A standard interview guide was used. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Results: Analysis revealed that parental support was a necessary component for ATS success. The parents' roles varied greatly. Most parents chose to become involved in ATS for a specificreason (e.g., promoting health). The parents and other key informants interviewed expressed participation benefits such as promoting healthy behaviors, increasing social opportunities, promoting neighborhood awareness, and fostering community improvement. Barriers to participation included lack of time, language barriers, and preference for auto travel. Parents also had safety concerns about ATS. Discussion: Parents can be valuable resources in school ATS programs, as noted by parents and key informants. Their level of involvement can vary from coordinating a program to leading a walking group; whatever the case, parental participation facilitates a successful initiative. Translation to Health Education Practice: ATS initiatives provide a way for parents to become involved in a school program that has personal health, social, and community benefits.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=44649095049&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=44649095049&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/19325037.2008.10599029
DO - 10.1080/19325037.2008.10599029
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:44649095049
SN - 1932-5037
VL - 39
SP - 138
EP - 147
JO - American Journal of Health Education
JF - American Journal of Health Education
IS - 3
ER -