title: Beyond METs: types of physical activity and depression among older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  physical activity may be beneficial in reducing depression incidence among the elderly. A key unanswered question is whether certain types of physical activity are particularly associated with decreased depression incidence. We examined the relationship between quantity and type of physical activity and subsequent depression using longitudinal data from elderly adults in New York City (NYC).
  
  
  METHODS
  we followed 3,497 adults aged 65-75 living in NYC for three years. Total physical activity was measured using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) and type of physical activity was measured using a latent class analysis of PASE item responses. We used generalised estimating equations to measure the relationship between quantity and latent class of physical activity at waves 1-2 and depression at waves 2-3, controlling for wave-1 depression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  individuals in the second highest quartile (50-75%) (odds ratio (OR) = 0.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.23, 0.88) and highest quartile of activity (OR = 0.31; 95% CI = 0.16, 0.63) had lower odds of depression. Among all subjects, athletic types (OR = 0.25; 95% CI = 0.12, 0.51) and walker types (OR = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.34, 0.99) had lower odds of depression. Among non-disabled participants, walkers (OR = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.18, 0.73), athletic types (OR = 0.14; 95% CI = 0.06, 0.32), domestic/gardening types (OR = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.12, 0.73) and domestic/gardening athletic types (OR = 0.13; 95% CI = 0.02, 0.75) had lower odds of depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  respondents who practised the highest levels of physical activity and who performed athletic activities were at lower risk for depression. Interventions aimed at promoting athletic physical activity among older adults may generate benefits for mental health.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Spruha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Mooney
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Psychiatry, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, NY, USA Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Gary J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.affiliation: Center for Evaluation and Applied Research, The New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Ebele O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Benjamin
authors.affiliation: NYU College of Global Public Health, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ompad
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Rundle
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Beard
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cerdá
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D065840:Protective Factors; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: depression; latent classes; older people; physical activity