Open AccessThe association of leisure‐time physical activity and walking during commuting to work with depressive symptoms among Japanese workers: A cross‐sectional study
Author(s) -
Fukai Kota,
Kuwahara Keisuke,
Chen Sanmei,
Eguchi Masafumi,
Kochi Takeshi,
Kabe Isamu,
Mizoue Tetsuya
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of occupational health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 1348-9585
DOI - 10.1002/1348-9585.12120
Subject(s) - odds ratio , cross sectional study , confidence interval , depression (economics) , logistic regression , medicine , depressive symptoms , association (psychology) , physical activity , leisure time , center for epidemiologic studies depression scale , demography , gerontology , psychology , physical therapy , psychiatry , cognition , pathology , sociology , economics , psychotherapist , macroeconomics
Objective To examine whether the cross‐sectional association of leisure‐time physical activity and walking during commuting to work with depressive symptoms depends on the level of work‐related physical activity among Japanese workers. Methods Participants were 2024 workers aged 19‐69 years in two manufacturing companies in Japan. Leisure‐time physical activity and walking during commuting to work were ascertained via a self‐administered questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES‐D) scale. The odds ratio (OR) of depressive symptoms (CES‐D score ≥16) was estimated by using multiple logistic regression with adjustment for covariates. Results Leisure‐time physical activity was inversely associated with depressive symptoms; multivariable‐adjusted ORs (95% confidence intervals) of having depressive symptoms for leisure‐time physical activity were 1.00 (reference), 0.85 (0.64, 1.12), 0.69 (0.51, 0.94), and 0.59 (0.44, 0.80) for 0, >0 to <3.0, 3.0 to <10.0, and ≥10.0 MET‐h/wk, respectively ( P for trend <.001). This inverse trend for leisure‐time physical activity was clearer among individuals who had low physical activity at workplace (less than 7.0 MET‐h/d). For walking to work, such an inverse association was not observed. Conclusion Leisure‐time physical activity was associated with fewer depressive symptoms, especially in workers with low work‐related physical activity.