Low physical activity as a key differentiating factor in the potential high-risk profile for depressive symptoms in older adults

Abstract

Background The identification of potential high‐risk groups for depression is of importance. The purpose of the present study was to identify high‐risk profiles for depressive symptoms in older individuals, with a focus on functional performance. Methods The population‐based Healthy Ageing Initiative included 2,084 community‐dwelling individuals (49% women) aged 70. Explorative cluster analysis was used to group participants according to functional performance level, using measures of basic mobility skills, gait variability, and grip strength. Intercluster differences in depressive symptoms (measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale [GDS]‐15), physical activity (PA; measured objectively with the ActiGraph GT3X+), and a rich set of covariates were examined. Results The cluster analysis yielded a seven‐cluster solution. One potential high‐risk cluster was identified, with overrepresentation of individuals with GDS scores >5 (15.1 vs. 2.7% expected; relative risk = 6.99, P < .001); the prevalence of depressive symptoms was significantly lower in the other clusters (all P < .01). The potential high‐risk cluster had significant overrepresentations of obese individuals (39.7 vs. 17.4% expected) and those with type 2 diabetes (24.7 vs. 8.5% expected), and underrepresentation of individuals who fulfilled the World Health Organization's PA recommendations (15.6 vs. 59.1% expected; all P < .01), as well as low levels of functional performance. Conclusions The present study provided a potential high‐risk profile for depressive symptoms among elderly community‐dwelling individuals, which included low levels functional performance combined with low levels of PA. Including PA in medical screening of the elderly may aid in identification of potential high‐risk individuals for depressive symptoms.

Endurance exercise prevents high-fat-diet induced heart and mobility premature aging and dsir2 expression decline in aging Drosophila

“…Increasing evidence suggests that endurance exercise is a healthy and economical way to prevent and cure obesity, and is considered a good way to delay age-related functional decline [ 26 , 34 , 46 ]. In our study, we confirmed that exercise could protect Drosophila from the HFD-induced functional premature senescence.…”

Correlates of physical activity among depressed older people in six low‐income and middle‐income countries: A community‐based cross‐sectional study

“…The treatment of depression in older patients is approached in the same way as for younger patients, with antidepressants, depression‐specific psychotherapies such as cognitive therapy and interpersonal therapy, and physical activity (PA) as the gold standard . There is increasing recognition that higher levels of PA and cardiorespiratory fitness may have a pivotal role in reducing the risk for the onset of depression. Moreover, there is robust evidence that PA can improve symptoms of depression and the physical and mental health quality of life in older people with depression.…”

From Emotions to Mood Disorders: A Survey on Gait Analysis Methodology

“…Clinical evaluations of all these conditions are subjective and they are based on self-reports, thus, subtle behavioral changes may be unnoticed [36]- [39]. It is also common for subjects with mood disorders to have different behavior at home/work compared to that in the clinic, which further complicates medical assessment [36].…”

“…It is also common for subjects with mood disorders to have different behavior at home/work compared to that in the clinic, which further complicates medical assessment [36]. Motor abnormalities that reflect the energy and/or biomechanical states of these episodes are evident and they could potentially be used in clinical practice to create objective biomarkers [37]- [39]. In fact, gross locomotion activity and gait performance have been part of patients' diagnosis for several decades.…”