Gender-specific dual effects of physical activity on depression and mortality

A nine-year cohort study in Chinese adults aged 45 and above

Bibliographic Data

ID22075765
AuthorsDan Shan (0000-0002-2762-6770, Sichuan University), Meina Yang (0000-0002-5149-2194, Sichuan University), Kunyan Zhou (0000-0001-6315-3176, Sichuan University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume13
Pages1510044-1510044
Publication date2025-01-21
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2025.1510044
PMID39906295
OpenAlexW4406674444
LanguageEN
References cited60

Background Regular participation in physical activity (PA) reduces all-cause mortality (ACM) in the general population. However, the effects of PA on depressed patients and potential gender-specific responses have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of PA on new-onset depression and ACM in Chinese adults aged 45 year and older, with particular emphasis on gender differences. Methods This was a longitudinal cohort study that took place over a nine-year period and featured 2,264 participants drawn from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). PA levels were categorized into quartiles using metabolic equivalents (MET; minutes/week), and depression was evaluated according to the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10) scale. Specific relationships between PA, depression, and mortality were then investigated by applying multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models. Results Highest quantile levels of PA were correlated with a 37% increase in the risk of new-onset depression in middle-aged (45–59 years) and older adults (>60 years). This association was predominantly influenced by a significant increase in the risk of mild depression (a score of 10–14 on the CESD-10) (odds ratio [OR]: 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29–2.42, p < 0.001), with a more pronounced effect observed in women (OR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.26–2.66, p = 0.002). A critical threshold for PA was identified at 4536 MET-minutes/week, beyond which the risk of depression increased significantly ( p < 0.05). Conversely, higher levels of PA were linked to a 90% reduction in ACM (HR: 0.10; 95% CI: 0.02–0.44, p = 0.002), with the effect being more pronounced in men. Conclusion While PA reduces mortality, excessive activity may increase the risk of mild depression, particularly in women. These findings highlight the need for gender-specific PA guidelines that balance physical and mental health outcomes

Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale · Cohort · Cohort study · Confidence interval · Depressive symptoms · Logistic regression · Longitudinal study · Odds ratio · Proportional hazards model · Psychiatry · Quartile · Cancer survivorship and care · Cardiac Health and Mental Health · Demography · Medicine · Physical Activity and Health · Gerontology · Internal Medicine

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