Abstract

This BriefTrends highlights the sex differences in the physical activity (PA), overweight status, and depression relationship in U.S. adults.

1. Introduction

To examine the moderating effect of sex on the physical activity (PA), body weight, and depression relationship in adults.

2. Data Source

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-March to Pre-Pandemic 2020.

3. Population

United States (U.S.) adults 20+ years of age.

4. Variables

1) Meeting physical activity (PA) guidelines (150+ minutes of recreational PA per week vs. < 150 minutes of recreational PA per week), 2) Overweight status (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² vs. BMI < 25 kg/m²), 3) Depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 10 vs. PHQ-9 <10), and 4) Sex (male vs. female).

5. Analysis

Crosstabulations stratified by sex of PA, overweight status, and depression status with Rao-Scott chi-square test of independence (χ²_RS), odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). To formally test for the sex moderation effect, a multiple logistic regression model predicting depression was run with a sex-by-PA-by-overweight interaction. SAS Survey procedures were used, version 9.4.

6. Findings

Overall, prevalence of depression was 8.5% (95% CI: 7.48-9.42) with no significant differences across overweight status. Prevalence of depression was 5.2% (95% CI: 3.96-6.47) and 10.6% (95% CI: 9.45-11.66) for those meeting and not meeting PA guidelines, respectively (χ²_RS = 46.0, p < .0001). Multiple logistic regression model predicting depression showed a significant (p = .0330) sex-by-PA-by-overweight interaction. Most noteworthy, PA appears to have a protective effect against depression in non-overweight females (OR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.09-0.47) (Figure 1) and in overweight males (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.23-0.65) (Figure 2).

References