The relation of medical conditions to depressive symptoms among Latinos: leisure time physical activity as a mediator.
Individuals with medical conditions report more depressive symptoms than those without such conditions. This study assessed whether physical activity (PA) plays a mediational role in the association between medical conditions and depressive symptoms among Latino adults. Adjusting for socioeconomic factors, those who reported having been diagnosed with diabetes, cardio-related disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, arthritis, or sleep problems endorsed more symptoms of depression. Vigorous PA mediated the relation between depressive symptoms and hypertension. In other words, people with hypertension who engaged in vigorous PA reported less depressive symptoms. PA may be a promising avenue for improving hypertension and depressive symptoms.
San Diego State University, San Diego 92104, USA. earredondo@projects.sdsu.edu
Elva M
EM
Arredondo
Tamar
T
Mendelson
John P
JP
Elder
Simon J
SJ
Marshall
Lareina
L
La Flair
Guadalupe X
GX
Ayala
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006304:Health Status; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000523:psychology; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult