Feasibility and effectiveness of drop-off spots to promote walking to school

摘要

Background Drop-off spots are locations in the proximity of primary schools where parents can drop off or pick up their child. From these drop-off spots children can walk to and from school. This pilot study aimed to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of drop-off spots and to evaluate how drop-off spots are perceived by school principals, teachers and parents of 6-to-12-year old children. Methods First, a feasibility questionnaire was completed (n?=?216) to obtain parental opinions towards the implementation of drop-off spots. A drop-off spot was organized (500?800 m distance from school) in two primary schools. A within-subject design was used to compare children?s (n?=?58) step counts and number of walking trips during usual conditions (baseline) and during implementation of a drop-off spot (intervention). Three-level (class-participant-condition) linear regression models were used to determine intervention effects. After the intervention, 2 school principals, 7 teachers and 44 parents filled out a process evaluation questionnaire. Results Prior to the intervention, 96% expressed the need for adult supervision during the route to school. Positive significant intervention effects were found for step counts before/after school hours (+732 step counts/day; X2?=?12.2; p?