Key result
Sufficient physical activity is linked to ~18% lower depression prevalence only in high-SES women.
Why the study?
While physical activity benefits depression reduction, the influence of socioeconomic status on this relationship remains unclear.
Does sufficient physical activity reduce depression prevalence in women across different socioeconomic statuses?
Population
14,691 women from the 2007–2020 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys
Comparison
Physical activity levels across three socioeconomic status groups
Design
Cross-sectional study
Authors
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Adequate physical activity was associated with lower depression odds in women; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective confirmation before practice change.
Cross-Sectional (n=14,691)
Does sufficient physical activity reduce depression prevalence in women across different socioeconomic statuses?
Odds Ratio: 0.82 (95% CI 0.69–0.97)
p-value: p=0.016
Sufficient physical activity is associated with a lower prevalence of depression in women, but this benefit appears limited to those with high socioeconomic status.
Yang et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Depression (n=14,691). Sufficient physical activity vs. Physical inactivity was evaluated on Depression (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.69-0.97, p=0.016). Sufficient physical activity was associated with a lower prevalence of depression in women (OR 0.82; 95% CI 0.69-0.97; p=0.016), with benefits observed only among those with high socioeconomic status.
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