title: Physical status as a moderator of depressive symptoms among older adults with dual sensory loss.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the ability of three measures of physical status-physical activity, physical condition, and body mass index (BMI)-to moderate the relationship between dual sensory loss (DSL) and depressive symptoms in older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nationally representative longitudinal data were used to develop multilevel models predicting depressive symptoms among two groups of older adults, 1380 who developed DSL during the study and 1308 without sensory loss.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All three measures were associated with depressive symptoms for persons who had or would develop a DSL: participation in physical activity and being in better physical condition were associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms, while lower BMI levels were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. All moderator variables had a larger effect for persons with DSL as compared to persons without sensory loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implication of these findings is that participation in a regular program of physical activity may provide multiple benefits to older persons with DSL. Families and health care providers can offer support for being physically active by ensuring the person has the best possible correction for the sensory losses, providing encouragement, and/or providing physical assistance with exercise.
authors.affiliation: Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, Mississippi State University. P.O. Box 6189, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA. m.mcdonnall@msstate.edu
authors.forename: Michele Capella
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: McDonnall
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*