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The Diabetes Educator

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Health Promotion Practice
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Application of a Walking Suitability Assessment to the Immediate Built Environment Surrounding Elementary Schools

Sarah M. Lee, PhD

Department of Exercise and Wellness at the Walking Research Laboratory of Arizona State University in Mesa, Arizona, skeuplee{at}cdc.gov

Catrine Tudor-Locke, PhD

Department of Exercise and Wellness at the Walking Research Laboratory of Arizona State University in Mesa, Arizona.

Elizabeth K. Burns, PhD

Department of Geography at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona

This study examines the usefulness of applying a walking suitability assessment to a specific geographic area surrounding elementary schools. Streets within a 0.25-mile radius were measured to create a summary walking suitability score for seven schools from high-busing strata and seven from low-busing strata. Summary walking suitability scores were calculated for each school. A Mann—Whitney U test was conducted to determine any differences in scores between the high- and low-busing schools. The median walking suitability score was 3.7 (a good rating); the 25th percentile score was 2.9 (very good), and the 75th was 22.3 (poor). No statistical differences existed between busing strata. Walking suitability is an important consideration when examining the feasibility of walk-to-school programs within school settings; however, it might not be the main factor limiting children's active commuting to school. Several aspects of the environment were captured that researchers, practitioners, school personnel, and transportation experts may deem useful.

Key Words: built environment • walk to school • walking suitability • schools • physical activity

This version was published on July 1, 2008

Health Promotion Practice, Vol. 9, No. 3, 246-252 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1524839907301403
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