Depression and use of a health plan-sponsored physical activity program by older adults

The purpose of this study was to determine the associations between depression and the likelihood of enrollment in a health plan-sponsored physical activity program and pattern of program participation over 2 years; a secondary aim was to examine the association between participation dose and depression risk. There are no published studies on how depression influences participation in health plan-sponsored physical activity programs and how participation affects depression risk in older adults in nonresearch settings.

This study used administrative data from a Medicare Advantage plan. Participants (n=4766) were enrolled in the plan for at least 1 year prior to participating in the plan-sponsored health club benefit (Silver Sneakers). Controls were age- and gender-matched to participants (n=9035). Members were identified as having depression based on ICD-9-CM codes. Multivariate regression and generalized estimating equations models were used. Data were collected between 1998 and 2003 and analyzed in 2008.

Members who had a history of depression were as likely to participate in Silver Sneakers as nondepressed members (OR: 1.03; 95% CI=0.89, 1.20; p=0.67). The risk of lapse in Silver Sneakers attendance was 28%-55% (p<0.05) higher for depressed participants during months 15-24. For nondepressed Silver Sneakers participants, attendance of at least 2 visits/week during Year 1 was significantly associated with lower risk of depression in Year 2 (OR=0.54; 95% CI=0.37, 0.79; p=0.002); a similar but statistically nonsignificant association was observed for previously depressed participants (OR=0.51; 95% CI=0.26, 1.02; p=0.06).

While depressed older adults are as likely to enroll in a health plan-sponsored physical activity as nondepressed members, they were at higher risk of attendance lapses. Greater participation in the physical activity program was associated with lower depression risk.