Commuting patterns to school in adolescents from Huesca

The aim of this study was to describe the usual mode of commuting to and from school in adolescents of Huesca and its association with gender and academic year. A total of 1,709 adolescents (Mage=14.20; DT=1.56; 51.7% girls) from 1st-year of middle school [Spanish acronym, ESO] to 1st-year high school) participated in this study. A questionnaire of the usual mode of commuting to and from school was self-reported by students. Results showed that 76.4% of adolescents commuted actively (i.e., walking or cycling) to and from school. Of the adolescents who commute actively to and from school, 78.5% to school and 81.7% from school walked. Regarding gender, a positive association was found between walking to and from school and being a girl, as well as between cycling and being a boy. Regarding the grade level, walking to and from school was positively associated with adolescents in 4th of middle school and negatively with 1st-year high school. On the other hand, travelling by bicycle both routes was positively associated with 1st-year of high school and negatively with 3rd year of middle school. Although the majority of adolescents from Huesca commuted actively to and from school, it seems that active school transport interventions are necessary, given the favorable characteristics of the city of Huesca. Similarly, it seems necessary to promote cycling as a means of transport to and from school, especially among girls and secondary education students.