Abstract
BackgroundSedentary behaviour is potentially a modifiable risk factor for depression and anxiety disorders, but findings have been inconsistent. To assess the associations of sedentary behaviour with depression and anxiety symptoms and estimate the impact of replacing daily time spent in sedentary behaviours with sleep, light, or moderate to vigorous physical activity, using compositional data analysis methods.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study in 60,235 UK Biobank participants (mean age: 56; 56% female). Exposure was baseline daily movement behaviours (accelerometer-assessed sedentary behaviour and physical activity, and self-reported total sleep). Outcomes were depression and anxiety symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalised Anxiety Disorders-7) at follow-up.ResultsReplacing 60 min of sedentary behaviour with light activity, moderate-to-vigorous activity, and sleep was associated with lower depression symptom scores by 1.3% (95% CI, 0.4–2.1%), 12.5% (95% CI, 11.4–13.5%), and 7.6% (95% CI, 6.9–8.4%), and lower odds of possible depression by 0.95 (95% CI, 0.94–0.96), 0.75 (95% CI, 0.74–0.76), and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.90–0.91) at follow-up.Replacing 60 min of sedentary behaviour with moderate-to-vigorous activity and sleep was associated with lower anxiety symptom scores by 6.6% (95% CI, 5.5–7.6%) and 4.5% (95% CI, 3.7–5.2%), and lower odds of meeting the threshold for a possible anxiety disorder by 0.90 (95% CI, 0.89–0.90) and 0.97 (95%CI, 0.96–0.97) at follow-up. However, replacing 60 min of sedentary behaviour with light activity was associated with higher anxiety symptom scores by 4.5% (95% CI, 3.7–5.3%) and higher odds of a possible anxiety disorder by 1.07 (95% CI, 1.06–1.08).ConclusionsSedentary behaviour is a risk factor for increased depression and anxiety symptoms in adults. Replacing sedentary behaviour with moderate-to-vigorous activity may reduce mental health risks, but more work is necessary to clarify the role of light activity.
Highlights
Sedentary behaviour is potentially a modifiable risk factor for depression and anxiety disorders, but findings have been inconsistent
Main analysis In fully-adjusted base models, baseline time in sedentary behaviour was positively associated with depression (β = 0.49, 95% 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.44–0.54, p < 0.001) and anxiety (β = 0.37, 95% CI, 0.31–0.44, p < 0.001) symptom scores at followup while accounting for time in light, moderate-tovigorous activity, and sleep over 24 h
Replacing a total of 60 min of sedentary behaviour with 60 min of light activity, moderate-to-vigorous activity, and sleep in 24 h was associated with lower depression symptom scores by 1.3%, 12.5%, and 7.6%, respectively
Summary
Sedentary behaviour is potentially a modifiable risk factor for depression and anxiety disorders, but findings have been inconsistent. Depression and anxiety disorders respectively account for the first and sixth most years lost to disability globally [1]. They are associated with elevated physical health risks, premature mortality, and substantial individual, social, and financial burden [2,3,4,5]. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour appear to be associated with the risk of depression and anxiety disorders and are potentially modifiable through targeted interventions [6,7,8]. Meeting nationally recommended moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity guidelines per week do not necessarily ameliorate the health risks of high sedentary behaviour [17, 18]
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