Does context moderate physical Activity's relations with depression?: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Physical activity is a well-established protective factor and treatment for depression. However, past research suggested that the context of physical activity might moderate relations with depression. Addressing this possibility directly, the hypothesis that physical activity occurring during recreation, versus during transportation or work, is more strongly negatively correlated with depression was tested. Method Data were drawn from six, two-year cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (years 2007–2018), yielding a national sample of adults 20 years and older in the United States (N = 26,842). Participants completed structured interviews assessing physical activity in three contexts (work, recreation, and transportation) and depressive symptomatology. The study design was cross-sectional and observational. Results Supporting the hypothesis, substantive physical activity during recreation (e.g., fitness, sports; odds ratio = 0.57) was a stronger predictor of diagnostic-level depressive symptomatology than was physical activity during work (e.g., paid work, unpaid chores; odds ratio = 0.98) or during transportation (e.g., walking, biking to get places; odds ratio = 0.93). Analyses controlled for age, gender, ethnicity, education, income, smoking, body mass index, and employment status. Conclusions The context of physical activity moderates relations between physical activity and depression. These findings raise the possibility that individuals who engage in physical activity only at work or for transportation, but not for recreation, may not receive significant mood benefits from physical activity.