Authors: Päivi Lampinen Eino Heikkinen
Publish Date: 2013/07/25
Volume: 15, Issue: 3, Pages: 205-211
Abstract
Background and aims Epidemiological research suggests that reduced physical activity and mobility may be associated with depressive symptoms The present study examines the relative roles of mobility status and physical activity as predictors of depressive symptoms among communitydwelling older adults Methods The subjects comprised randomly selected noninstitutionalized residents of the city of Jyväskylä central Finland born in 1904–1923 At baseline 80 N=1224 and after the 8year followup period 1996 88 N=663 of eligible persons were interviewed All noninstitutionalized men and women N=384 who participated in both baseline and followup interviews who supplied data on the main questions of interest and who had no depressive symptoms at baseline were selected for analysis Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Finnish modified version of Beck’s 13item depression scale RBDI Physical activity was assessed on a sevenpoint scale Mobility status was defined as the ability to walk two kilometers and climb one flight of stairs Results Subjects who were mobilitydisabled and had a sedentary lifestyle had a higher risk OR=244 for depressive symptoms at followup than those who had good mobility and were physically active The risk was also higher OR=199 in those who were mobilitydisabled and had a physically active lifestyle compared with physically active individuals with intact mobility Those with good mobility had fewer depressive symptoms than those who had mobility problems irrespective of the level of physical activity No significant interaction was observed between physical activity and mobility in predicting the development of depressive symptoms Older age significantly increased and the number of chronic illnesses tended to increase the risk of developing depressive symptoms during the followup period Gender and length of education were not significant predictors of depressive symptoms Conclusions Mobility problems and older age seem to increase the risk for developing depressive symptoms in elderly people The risk is not associated with the level of physical activity
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