To determine children's independent mobility behavior, an Independent
Mobility Index was computed using questions from both parent and child questionnaires.
This index has been described elsewhere . Briefly, children were asked if they actively traveled to 15 local
activities/destinations (excluding trips to school) in the week prior to the survey
(no, sometimes, yes). The activities (n = 6) included playing a team sport;
swimming; going to a club or youth group; watching sport; music lessons;
and catching a bus. The destinations (n = 9) included visiting a park, playground
or playing field; own friend's house; family/family friend's house; local
shop; other shops; post-box; local library (not school library); movie cinema;
and Sunday school/church. Parents were also asked if they allowed their child
to attend these 15 activities/destinations without an adult (no, yes). An independent
mobility score was computed by summing the activities/destinations
children actively traveled to and if they were allowed to do so without an
adult .