Cardiovascular fitness in males at age 18 and risk of serious depression in adulthood: Swedish prospective population-based study.
BACKGROUND
Studies suggest a role for cardiovascular fitness in the prevention of affective disorders.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether cardiovascular fitness at age 18 is associated with future risk of serious affective illness.


METHODS
Population-based Swedish cohort study of male conscripts (n = 1 117 292) born in 1950-1987 with no history of mental illness who were followed for 3-40 years. Data on cardiovascular fitness at conscription were linked with national hospital registers to calculate future risk of depression (requiring in-patient care) and bipolar disorder.


RESULTS
In fully adjusted models low cardiovascular fitness was associated with increased risk for serious depression (hazard ratios (HR) = 1.96, 95%, CI 1.71-2.23). No such association could be shown for bipolar disorder (HR = 1.11, 95% CI 0.84-1.47).


CONCLUSIONS
Lower cardiovascular fitness at age 18 was associated with increased risk of serious depression in adulthood. These results strengthen the theory of a cardiovascular contribution to the aetiology of depression.
Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute for Neuroscience and Physiology and Department of Primary Health Care, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Maria A I
MA
Åberg
Margda
M
Waern
Jenny
J
Nyberg
Nancy L
NL
Pedersen
Ylva
Y
Bergh
N David
ND
Åberg
Michael
M
Nilsson
H Georg
HG
Kuhn
Kjell
K
Torén
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013548:Sweden; D055815:Young Adult