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Physical activity and depression: a large cross‐sectional, population‐based study across 36 low‐ and middle‐income countries
Author(s) -
Stubbs B.,
Koyanagi A.,
Schuch F. B.,
Firth J.,
Rosenbaum S.,
Veronese N.,
Solmi M.,
Mugisha J.,
Vancampfort D.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/acps.12654
Subject(s) - depression (economics) , mediation , logistic regression , medicine , cross sectional study , odds , demography , odds ratio , gerontology , pathology , sociology , political science , law , economics , macroeconomics
Objective Physical activity ( PA ) is good for health, yet several small‐scale studies have suggested that depression is associated with low PA . A paucity of nationally representative studies investigating this relationship exists, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries ( LMIC s). This study explored the global association of PA with depression and its mediating factors. Method Participants from 36 LMIC s from the World Health Survey were included. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were undertaken exploring the relationship between PA and depression. Results Across 178 867 people (mean ± SD age = 36.2 ± 13.5 years; 49.9% male), the prevalence of depression and the prevalence of low PA were 6.6% and 16.8% respectively. The prevalence of low PA was significantly higher among those with depression vs. no depression (26.0% vs. 15.8%, P < 0.0001). In the adjusted model, depression was associated with higher odds for low PA ( OR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.24–1.63). Mediation analyses demonstrated that low PA among people with depression was explained by mobility limitations (40.3%), pain and discomfort (35.8%), disruptions in sleep and energy (25.2%), cognition (19.4%) and vision (10.9%). Conclusion Individuals with depression engage in lower levels of PA in LMIC s. Future longitudinal research is warranted to better understand the relationships observed.