Nonlinear Association of Daily Sitting Time With Depression Risk in US Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Previous research indicates a link between sedentary behavior and depression.
• The precise dose-response relationship between daily sitting time and depression risk remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the nonlinear association between daily sitting time and depression.
• To identify a potential threshold for sitting time that increases depression risk.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from 29,691 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2007-2018).
• Utilized smooth curve fitting and threshold effect analysis to examine the dose-response relationship.
• Assessed daily sitting time via questionnaires and depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

Main Results:

• Each additional hour of sitting was associated with a 5% increased risk of depression.
• Individuals sitting 8 hours or more daily showed a significantly higher risk of depression (OR=1.37).
• A threshold of 7 hours of daily sitting was identified, beyond which depression risk significantly increased (OR=1.07).

Conclusions:

• A nonlinear relationship exists between daily sitting time and depression risk in US adults.
• Sitting for 7 hours or more daily is associated with a significantly elevated risk of depression.
• Further research is needed to validate these findings.