Different levels of physical activity and depression symptoms among older adults from 18 countries: A population‐based study from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)

Abstract

Objective: Analyse the relationship between different levels of physical activity (PA) and depression symptoms in a representative sample of European older adults. Methods: Data on PA, depression symptoms and sociodemographic variables from 64688 (28015 men) older adults participating in SHARE wave 6 was collected through a face-to-face interview. The EURO-D 12-item scale was administered for depression symptoms. Participants reported the frequency they engaged in moderate-intensity PA (MPA) and vigorous-intensity PA (VPA). Results: Men and women engaging in MPA and VPA once or more than once a week had less depression symptoms than those who engage less than once a week. MPA and VPA once or more than once a week were inversely associated with the depression symptoms score. Furthermore, engaging in MPA and VPA decreased the odds of depression (cut-off point of ≥4 depression symptoms) compared to engaging in PA less than once a week. Conclusions: Policies for promoting mental health should include PA for the prevention or treatment of depression symptoms. PA presents physical and psychological benefits and can be used as an overall health-promoting strategy, facing numerous problems at a time.

Physical and psychological effects related to food habits and lifestyle changes derived from Covid-19 home confinement Spanish population.

“…In addition to the effect of exercise on body weight as seen in the present survey, it also plays an important role in mental health, because prolonged home stays can lead a sedentary lifestyle who contribute to anxiety/depression [50][51][52]. Previous studies reflect that those subjects in whom confinement negatively affected physical exercise were at greater risk of depression, anxiety and stress [42], which could partly explain the relationship with poor sleep quality among sedentary participants seen in this our work.…”

Physical and Psychological Effects Related to Food Habits and Lifestyle Changes Derived from COVID-19 Home Confinement in the Spanish Population

“…In addition to the effect of exercise on body weight as seen in the present survey, it also plays an important role in mental health, because prolonged home confinement can lead a sedentary lifestyle which contributes to anxiety/depression [ 50 , 51 , 52 ]. Previous studies reported that those subjects in whom confinement negatively affected physical exercise were at greater risk of depression, anxiety and stress [ 42 ], which could partly explain the relationship with poor sleep quality among sedentary participants seen in this work.…”

The Effect of Muscular Strength on Depression Symptoms in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…This is particularly important because a better physical function is significantly associated with less depressive symptoms [15,16]. Moreover, muscular strength is associated with physical activity and exercise habits [17], which are known to be negatively associated with depression symptoms [18,19]. In this line, the possible effects of muscular strength on depression may be mediated by physical activity, which can partly explain this association.…”