Sedentary behaviors, physical activity, and changes in depression and psychological distress symptoms in older adults

Background Television (TV) viewing and computer use have been associated with higher risk of depression, but studies specifically assessing the impact of these and other types of sedentary behaviors (SBs) on the mental health of older adults are scarce and their results are inconclusive. Similarly, the association between specific types of recreational physical activity (rPA) and mental health in older adults is poorly understood. Methods In 2012, information on SBs, rPA, and other health behaviors was collected with validated questionnaires from community‐dwelling older adults participating in the Seniors‐ENRICA cohort. In 2012 and 2015, symptoms of depression and mental distress were assessed using the GDS‐10 and the General Health Questionnaire‐12 (GHQ‐12), respectively. Results Time spent watching TV was prospectively associated with higher (worse) GDS‐10 scores in women (β [95% confidence interval (CI)] comparing the second and third tertiles of TV viewing to the first: 0.21 [–0.04 to 0.46] and 0.37 [0.13–0.62], respectively; P‐trend: