Compared to daily moderate physical activity, never engaging in moderate physical activity was associated with more than five times higher odds of diagnosed depression in Bangladesh (AOR 5.512).
Cross-Sectional (n=7,204)
Yes
Does physical inactivity increase the prevalence of self-reported or diagnosed depression in middle- and older-aged populations in South Asia?
Physical inactivity is significantly associated with higher rates of diagnosed depression among middle- and older-aged populations in South Asia.
Effect estimate: AOR 5.512 (95% CI 1.159-26.21)
BACKGROUND: With the increase in the understanding of the influence of various lifestyle factors such as sedentary behaviour and level of physical activity (PA) on physical and mental health, there has been a growing research interest on how physical inactivity correlates with depressive outcomes across countries. The present study aimed to examine 1) the pattern of engaging in PA among middle- and older-aged population in four South Asian countries, and 2) whether PA is associated with higher prevalence of depression. METHODS: This cross-sectional study is based on country-representative data obtained from WHO's World Health Survey (WHS). Subjects were 7204 men and women aged above 50 years from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, all of which are classified as Low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) in World Bank reports. Outcome variables were self-ported depression (SRD) and ever being diagnosed with depression. Association between frequency of moderate (MPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) and depression was analysed by multivariable regression methods. RESULT: Prevalence of self-reported depression was respectively 47.7%, 40.3%, 40.4% and 11.4% in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Prevalence of being ever diagnosed with depression was highest in Nepal (38.7%), followed by India (17.7%), Bangladesh (2.5%) and Sri Lanka (2%). Multivariable analysis shown statistically significant association between PA and diagnosed depression in Bangladesh and India, but not with SRD. In Bangladesh, compared to those who reported engaging in MPA on daily basis, the odds of reporting diagnosed depression were more than five times higher AOR = 5.512; 95% CI = 1.159-26.21 for those who never took MPA. In India, those never took VPA had 44% higher AOR = 1.442; 95% CI = 1.046-1.987 odds of being diagnosed with depression compared those who never engaged in VPA. CONCLUSION: Lower frequency of vigorous physical activity were significantly associated with higher rates of depression diagnosed. Based on the findings, it is recommendable that health programs targeting mental health among middle- and older-aged population take steps to promote the level of PA within a multi-dimensional depression prevention framework. Longitudinal studies are needed to understand the role of vigorous and moderate physical activity on the onset and intervention of depression among elderly population in the region.
Bishwajit et al. (Fri,) conducted a cross-sectional in Depression (n=7,204). Physical inactivity (0 days of moderate or vigorous physical activity) vs. Daily moderate or vigorous physical activity was evaluated on Ever diagnosed with depression (AOR 5.512, 95% CI 1.159-26.21). Compared to daily moderate physical activity, never engaging in moderate physical activity was associated with more than five times higher odds of diagnosed depression in Bangladesh (AOR 5.512).