Exploring changes in active travel uptake and cessation across the lifespan: Longitudinal evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Survey.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Pistoll CT
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6263612 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Exploring changes in active travel uptake and cessation across the lifespan: Longitudinal evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Survey.
Pistoll Chance Taylor CT Cummins Steven S
Preventive medicine reports 20181115
This study aims to explore changes in uptake and cessation of walking, cycling and public transport use across the lifespan in a representative sample of UK adults aged 16 and older. A longitudinal analysis of 11,559 individuals in waves two (2010-2012) and six (2014-2016) of the General Population Sample (GPS) of the UK Household Longitudinal Survey (UKHLS) was performed. The outcome variables were self-reported and categorised as changes to and from 1) walking or cycling and 2) public transpor ...[more]
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Project description:BACKGROUND:The Household Health Survey (HHS) was developed to understand the socioeconomic determinants of mental and physical health, and health inequalities in health and social care. This paper aims to provide a detailed rationale of the development and implementation of the survey and explore socio-economic variations in physical and mental health and health care. METHODS:This comprehensive longitudinal public health survey was designed and piloted in a disadvantaged area of England, comprising questions on housing, physical health, mental health, lifestyle, social issues, environment, work, and finances. After piloting, the HHS was implemented across 28 neighbourhoods - 10 disadvantaged neighbourhoods for learning (NfLs), 10 disadvantaged comparator sites, and eight relatively advantaged areas, in 2015 and 2018. Participants were recruited via random sampling of households in pre-selected neighbourhoods based on their areas of deprivation. RESULTS:7731 residents participated in Wave 1 (N?=?4319) and 2 (n?=?3412) of the survey, with 871 residents having participated in both. Mental health, physical health, employment, and housing quality were poorer in disadvantaged neighbourhoods than in relatively advantaged areas. CONCLUSIONS:This survey provides important insights into socio-economic variations in physical and mental health, with findings having implications for improved care provision to enable residents from any geographical or socio-economic background to access suitable care.
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Project description:ObjectivesExamine longitudinal associations between modes of travel to school and adiposity.SettingThe UK.Participants8432 children surveyed at ages 7, 11 and 14 years from the UK Millennium Cohort Study.Primary and secondary outcomesObjective percentage body fat and body mass index (BMI). Transport mode was categorised as private motorised transport, public transport and active transport (walking or cycling). Socioeconomic position (SEP) was measured by household income group and occupational social class. We adjusted analyses for changes in the country of UK, frequency of eating breakfast, self-reported growth spurts, hours of screen time and days per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Longitudinal (panel) regression models adjusting for individual fixed effects examined associations in changes in mode of travel to school and adiposity, controlling for both time-varying and time-invariant potential confounders. Interaction tests and stratified analyses investigated differences by markers of SEP.ResultsAt age 14 years, 26.1% of children (2198) reported using private motorised transport, 35.3% (2979) used public transport and 38.6% (3255) used active transport to get to school. 36.6% (3083) of children changed mode two times between the three waves and 50.7% (4279) changed once. Compared with continuing to use private transport, switching to active transport was associated with a lower BMI (-0.21 kg/m2, 95% CI -0.31 to -0.10) and body fat (-0.55%, 95% CI -0.80% to -0.31%). Switching to public transport was associated with lower percentage body fat (-0.43%, 95% CI -0.75% to -0.12%), but associations with BMI did not reach statistical significance (-0.13 kg/m2, 95% CI -0.26 to 0.01). Interaction tests showed a trend for these effects to be stronger in more deprived groups, but these interactions did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionThis longitudinal study during a key life course period found switching to physically active forms of travel can have beneficial adiposity impacts; these associations may be more apparent for more disadvantaged children. Increasing active travel has potential to ameliorate inequalities.
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Project description:ObjectiveThis study examines whether there is an independent association between mental difficulties in adolescence and educational attainment at age 16.DesignLongitudinal study.SettingNationally representative data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) were linked to the National Pupil Database for England.ParticipantsRespondents (N=1100) to the UKHLS between 2009 and 2012 were linked to the National Pupil Database to investigate longitudinal associations between mental difficulties at ages 11-14 and educational attainment at age 16 (General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)).Primary outcome measureNot gaining five or more GCSE qualifications at age 16, including English and maths at grade A*-C.ResultsAn atypical total mental health difficulty score measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire at ages 11-14 predicted low levels of educational attainment at age 16 (OR: 3.11 (95% CI: (2.11 to 4.57)). Controlling for prior attainment and family sociodemographic factors, happiness with school (/work) and parental health, school engagement and relationship with the child partially attenuated the association, which was significant in the fully adjusted model (2.05, 95% CI (1.15 to 3.68)). The association was maintained in the fully adjusted model for males only (OR: 2.77 (95% CI (1.24 to 6.16)) but not for females. Hyperactivity disorder strongly predicted lower attainment for males (OR: 2.17 (95% CI: (1.11 to 4.23)) and females (OR: 2.85 (95% CI (1.30 to 6.23)).ConclusionMental difficulties at ages 11-14 were independently linked to educational success at age 16, highlighting an important pathway through which health in adolescence can determine young people's life chances.
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