title: Objectively measured light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is associated with lower depression levels among older US adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have a limited understanding of the epidemiological association between objectively measured physical activity and depression among older adults. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the association between accelerometer-assessed physical activity and depression symptoms among a nationally representative sample of US older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was used. 708 older adults (65+ years) wore an ActiGraph 7164 accelerometer for at least 4 days, and completed data on the study covariates along with depression, as assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After controlling for age, gender, race-ethnicity, body mass index, marital status, education, comorbidity index, and physical functioning, for every 60-minute increase in light-intensity physical activity, participants were 20% (OR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.67-0.95; p = 0.01) less likely to be depressed. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was also inversely associated with depression (OR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.64-0.94; p = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that promoting physical activity, even light-intensity physical activity, may have positive mental health effects among older adults. Future prospective and experimental studies are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science, Donna & Allan Lansing School of Nursing & Health Sciences, Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY, USA. ploprinzi@bellarmine.edu
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Loprinzi
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000379:methods; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology