Sedentary behaviors, physical activity, and changes in depression and psychological distress symptoms in older adults

Television (TV) viewing and computer use have been associated with higher risk of depression, but studies specifically assessing the impact of these and other types of sedentary behaviors (SBs) on the mental health of older adults are scarce and their results are inconclusive. Similarly, the association between specific types of recreational physical activity (rPA) and mental health in older adults is poorly understood.

In 2012, information on SBs, rPA, and other health behaviors was collected with validated questionnaires from community-dwelling older adults participating in the Seniors-ENRICA cohort. In 2012 and 2015, symptoms of depression and mental distress were assessed using the GDS-10 and the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), respectively.

Time spent watching TV was prospectively associated with higher (worse) GDS-10 scores in women (β [95% confidence interval (CI)] comparing the second and third tertiles of TV viewing to the first: 0.21 [-0.04 to 0.46] and 0.37 [0.13-0.62], respectively; P-trend: < 0.01), but not in men (-0.11 [-0.35 to 0.13] and -0.18 [-0.44 to 0.08]; P-trend: 0.16). Women, but not men, who spent more time in other SBs, including reading, using the computer and commuting, showed a lower number of depressive symptoms (-0.19 [-0.44 to 0.06] and -0.34 [-0.60 to -0.08]; P-trend: 0.01) and lower (better) GHQ-12 scores (-0.33 [-0.67 to -0.00] and -0.35 [-0.69 to -0.00]; P-trend: 0.05) at follow-up. Both in men and women, higher levels of rPA, such as walking, practicing sports, and do-it-yourself activities, were associated with lower GDS-10 scores (-0.07 [-0.25 to 0.11] and -0.19 [-0.36 to -0.01]; P-trend: 0.04) and with lower GHQ-12 scores (-0.02 [-0.26 to 0.22] and -0.23 [-0.47 to -0.00]; P-trend: 0.06).

Older women who spent more time watching TV and less time in other SBs showed a higher number of depressive symptoms. Data suggest that increasing rPA may improve mental health in older adults, particularly among women.