Key result
Changes in physical activity and body weight were associated with depressive symptoms, though these effects were mediated by physical and functional health.
Why the study?
Are changes in health behaviors associated with depressive symptoms in older adults?
Cohort (n=1,524)
Are changes in health behaviors associated with depressive symptoms in older adults?
Changes in health behaviors are related to mental health in late life, but their effect is largely mediated by physical and functional health.
Supports prioritizing physical and functional health assessment in older adults with depressive symptoms; leaves open whether activity or weight changes independently affect mood.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the longitudinal association between changes in health behaviors and depression and determine the mediating effect of health characteristics on this association. METHOD: Based on the first and second waves of the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)-Israel, depressive symptoms of 1,524 Israelis aged 50 or older were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Changes in physical activity and body weight are associated with depressive symptoms after adjusting for confounders. However, after adding measures of health, the respective correlations of weight gain and commenced physical activity with depression disappear, and the correlation between continued activity and depression is reduced. DISCUSSION: Changes in health behaviors are related to mental health in late life, but their effect is mediated by physical and functional health. Future interventions should nevertheless target older individuals who stop physical activity and those who remain inactive to lessen the risk of depression.
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Khalaila et al. (2014) conducted a cohort in Depressive symptoms (n=1,524). Changes in health behaviors (physical activity and body weight) was evaluated on Depressive symptoms. Changes in physical activity and body weight were associated with depressive symptoms, though these effects were mediated by physical and functional health.
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