Effects of walking school bus-based interventions on health indicators in children: a systematic review

Objective To identify the potential effects of intervention studies on walking school buses (WSB) on various health indicators. As a secondary objective, we also sought to identify the main results of WSB evaluation studies. Methods A systematic review was conducted by searching five electronic databases and complementary strategies for articles on the intervention or evaluation of community-based WSB strategies for health indicators in children and adolescents. Results Of the initial 828 studies, 11 specifically met the inclusion criteria based on the description. As the main results of the intervention studies, the effects of WSB were most highlighted: “Daily minutes in moderate and vigorous physical activities” ( n = 3); “Active commuting” ( n = 2), and “Increase in the proportion of students walking to school” ( n = 2). Additionally, assessment studies highlighted different aspects perceived following the implementation of the WSB strategy, such as “socialization/increased sense of community” ( n = 4), “opportunity for the promotion of physical activity/health” ( n = 3), and “reduction in car use and local congestion” ( n = 3). Conclusion The WSB showed promising effects regarding physical activity indicators in children. We recommend that future studies adopt broader approaches to the relationship between health, the built environment, and territorial equity, and take into account children’s urban experiences. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261351 , identifier (CRD420261351541).