Only a generation ago, children spent more time walking, cycling and just generally playing in and exploring their neighbourhood independently, without adult supervision...

Nowadays many children are faced with the opposite scenario; they are frequently driven to the destinations they used to walk or cycle to and spend less time playing and exploring their neighbourhood.

CQUniversity PhD candidate Stephanie Schoeppe has completed in-depth research about how independently mobile children are these days and how this impacts their overall physical activity levels and health.

She will give a FREE talk about her results in a Research Unplugged format, from 6pm-7pm on Thursday April 18 at the Parkers Function Room of Rockhampton's Criterion Hotel. Finger foods will be provided.

Anyone keen to attend the presentation on ‘Physical inactivity in Australian children - why we should encourage them to walk, cycle and play outdoors' can RSVP via j.douglas@cqu.edu.au or on 4923 2184 or via the Facebook Event page -  http://www.facebook.com/events/580916278586934/  .

Stephanie Schoeppe with a heart rate and activity monitor used in her research

Research Unplugged is presented by the Institute for Health and Social Science Research (IHSSR).

Ms Schoeppe's talk will discuss the prevalence and benefits of children's (8-13 year olds) independent mobility and active travel in the neighbourhood environment. This includes findings from the Australian projects ‘Children's Activity, Travel, Connectedness and Health (CATCH)' and 'Independent Mobility, Active Travel and Children's Health (iMATCH)' which were partially conducted in Rockhampton schools.          

After completing her Masters in Germany in 2002, Ms Schoeppe worked at research centres at the University of Sydney and offices of the World Health Organisation in Germany and Switzerland between 2003-2010 before joining the Centre for Physical Activity Studies at CQUniversity.