Abstract
The aim of the present study was to comprehensively investigate physical activity (PA), nutritional status, and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in healthy young adults with higher levels of depressive symptoms and in sex- and age-matched controls without depressive symptoms. We recruited 35 healthy young adults with higher levels of depressive symptoms (DEP group) and 35 controls (CON group). Measurement items were daily number of steps, the duration and amount of PA ≥3 metabolic equivalents (METs), exercise habits, the consumption of tryptophan (TRP) and/or vitamin B6-rich foods, plasma levels of total TRP and vitamin B6 levels, and ANS activity. The DEP group had fewer daily steps, as well as duration and amount of PA ≥3 METs, than the CON group, while there was no difference in exercise habits. The intake frequency of TRP and/or vitamin B6-rich foods and plasma vitamin B6 levels of the DEP group were rather higher than those in the control group. Plasma TRP levels and ANS activity were comparable in the two groups. Our findings suggest that a decline in overall PA, including daily steps as well as duration and amount of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA, could be associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms in healthy young adults. Their dietary intake of TRP and/or vitamin B6-rich foods was adequate, and there was no ANS activity dysfunction.
Highlights
The number of people with depression is continuously increasing, with an estimated 300 million individuals worldwide affected currently by depression [1]
There are a lot of previous studies on depression; most of them are about depressed patients, with few studies conducted to date on healthy subjects in the pre-stage of depression
Low physical activity (PA) levels are associated with depression onset [7], while higher PA levels are consistently associated with lower odds of developing depression in the future [8]
Summary
The number of people with depression is continuously increasing, with an estimated 300 million individuals worldwide affected currently by depression [1]. Nutrients 2020, 12, 690 adults [3], and depressive symptoms early in life are associated with an increased risk of affective disorders during adulthood [4]. 16- to 24-year-olds are the least likely age group to have adequate access to mental health services [5]; it is important to prevent the onset of depressive symptoms at an early stage before the appearance of clinical depression. Previous studies have consistently shown that physical activity (PA) alleviates depressive symptoms [6]. Low PA levels are associated with depression onset [7], while higher PA levels are consistently associated with lower odds of developing depression in the future [8]
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