Adolescent travel patterns: pilot data indicating distance from home varies by time of day and day of week

J Adolesc Health. 2008 Apr;42(4):418-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.09.018. Epub 2007 Dec 21.

Abstract

We conducted a pilot study using new technology to track adolescent "place." Using Global Positioning System (GPS)-enabled cell phones, we recruited and tracked 15 female adolescents for a 1-week period. Distance away from home was greatest in the evenings on weekends or holidays. The greatest percentage of time spent more than 1 kilometer away from home was also during these times. Such GPS technology holds promise for future adolescent health research in allowing more specific and dynamic measurement of where adolescents spend time.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior
  • Female
  • Geographic Information Systems / instrumentation*
  • Humans
  • Pilot Projects
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Risk-Taking
  • Time Factors
  • Travel*
  • United States