Sedentary Behavior and Risk of Depression in Older Adults: A Systematic Meta-Analysis

The elderly represents the population group with the highest rate of sedentary behavior. Sedentary behavior has an adverse impact on the elderly, which might be related to depression.

We queried PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and MEDLINE to collect literature data. The odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were adopted for the pooled measurements. Sub-group analyses were conducted through stratified meta-analyses based on study design, depression indicator, adjustment for physical activity, sedentary behavior indicator, and type. Sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the results, and publication bias was assessed through a funnel plot.

Seven cross-sectional studies and five cohort studies were included in our meta-analysis. The overall pooled OR was 1.38 (95%CI: 1.16-1.65; P < 0.01), which indicated that sedentary behavior was positively associated with depression in older adults. Sub-group analysis showed that different study designs, depression indicators, sedentary behavior indicators, adjustment for physical activity, sedentary behavior indicator, and type produced different results. In the cross-sectional studies (OR = 1.45, 95%CI: 1.15-1.84), CES-D scale (OR = 1.54, 95%CI: 1.13-2.10), self-reported (OR = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.04-1.87), watching TV (OR = 1.75, 95%CI: 1.02-3.02), and not adjusted for physical activity (OR = 1.37, 95%CI: 1.14-1.65) groups, there was a strong correlation between sedentary behavior and depression in the elderly.

Sedentary behavior is associated with depression in the elderly. As a preventive strategy, we should consider reducing their sedentary time and appropriately increasing physical activity.