The intersections among the domains of physical activity and depressive symptoms among Brazilian adults

Physical activity (PA) has been recommended as a way of preventing and treating depressive symptoms; however, this association seems to depend on multiple factors. The objective of this study was to analyze the possible associations between various intersections among the PA domains and depressive symptoms in Brazilian adults.

Data were collected from 52,475 individuals who were ≥ 18 years old. The experience of depressive symptoms was used as the dependent variable, while the various PA domains (including all possible intersections among them) constituted the independent variable.

The 'leisure time' domain was associated with the best results, revealing that this domain serves as a protective factor with respect to depressive symptoms, especially when it occurs in isolation, highlighting that the risk is 32 % lower in both sexes, or in combination with 'work'. When the 'work' domain was combined with domains other than 'leisure time', it proved to be more of a risk factor than a protective factor. Individuals who were active in all four domains exhibited a greater likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms (53 %), than did individuals who were inactive. Among men, the likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms was higher among individuals who were active in the 'transportation and household' domains (277 %), while among women, the likelihood of such symptoms was higher among individuals who were active in the 'work and household' domains (127 %).

The results of this research indicate that the relationship between PA and depressive symptoms may differ depending on various intersections among the PA domains.