The association between physical activity and depression among weekend catch-up sleepers: results from NHANES 2021–2023

Abstract Background Depression is a prevalent disorder with significant health impacts. Physical activity is known to protect against depression, but its effects may vary in populations with disrupted sleep patterns, such as weekend catch-up sleepers, which refers to participants who sleep longer on...

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Main Authors: Kunyu Qiu, Yilei Liu, Yan Zhang, Jie Gu, Yanyan Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07095-6
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author Kunyu Qiu
Yilei Liu
Yan Zhang
Jie Gu
Yanyan Huang
author_facet Kunyu Qiu
Yilei Liu
Yan Zhang
Jie Gu
Yanyan Huang
author_sort Kunyu Qiu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Depression is a prevalent disorder with significant health impacts. Physical activity is known to protect against depression, but its effects may vary in populations with disrupted sleep patterns, such as weekend catch-up sleepers, which refers to participants who sleep longer on weekends than on weekdays. This study examines the dose-response relationship between physical activity and depression in this population. Methods Data from 1,906 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2021–2023) were analyzed. Physical activity was measured in MET-minutes per week, and depression was assessed using the PHQ-9. Multivariate linear regression, restricted cubic spline, and two-part linear regression models were employed. Results In the adjusted model, physical activity showed a negative trend with depression, though this association did not reach statistical significance in the fully adjusted model. Stratified analyses revealed stronger associations in women (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.75, 0.99, P = 0.0329) and individuals aged 40–60 years (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.97, P = 0.0237). A threshold effect was observed, with physical activity below 2.48 MET-min/1000-wk showing a negative association with depression (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.85, P = 0.0006). Beyond this threshold, the relationship changed. Conclusion A nonlinear relationship between physical activity and depression was identified in weekend catch-up sleepers, with moderate activity levels (2.48 MET-min/1000-wk) offering the greatest mental health benefits, particularly in women and individuals aged 40–60 years. Clinical trial number Not applicable. Graphical Abstract
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spelling doaj-art-b9c8655455254e4badd3c3efe3cd232d2025-08-20T03:05:16ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2025-07-0125111110.1186/s12888-025-07095-6The association between physical activity and depression among weekend catch-up sleepers: results from NHANES 2021–2023Kunyu Qiu0Yilei Liu1Yan Zhang2Jie Gu3Yanyan Huang4Shanghai Putuo District Changzheng Town Community Health Service CenterShanghai Putuo District Changzheng Town Community Health Service CenterShanghai Putuo District Changzheng Town Community Health Service CenterDepartment of General Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan UniversityDepartment of General Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan UniversityAbstract Background Depression is a prevalent disorder with significant health impacts. Physical activity is known to protect against depression, but its effects may vary in populations with disrupted sleep patterns, such as weekend catch-up sleepers, which refers to participants who sleep longer on weekends than on weekdays. This study examines the dose-response relationship between physical activity and depression in this population. Methods Data from 1,906 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2021–2023) were analyzed. Physical activity was measured in MET-minutes per week, and depression was assessed using the PHQ-9. Multivariate linear regression, restricted cubic spline, and two-part linear regression models were employed. Results In the adjusted model, physical activity showed a negative trend with depression, though this association did not reach statistical significance in the fully adjusted model. Stratified analyses revealed stronger associations in women (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.75, 0.99, P = 0.0329) and individuals aged 40–60 years (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.97, P = 0.0237). A threshold effect was observed, with physical activity below 2.48 MET-min/1000-wk showing a negative association with depression (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.85, P = 0.0006). Beyond this threshold, the relationship changed. Conclusion A nonlinear relationship between physical activity and depression was identified in weekend catch-up sleepers, with moderate activity levels (2.48 MET-min/1000-wk) offering the greatest mental health benefits, particularly in women and individuals aged 40–60 years. Clinical trial number Not applicable. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07095-6DepressionPhysical activityWeekend catch-up sleepThreshold effectsNHANES
spellingShingle Kunyu Qiu
Yilei Liu
Yan Zhang
Jie Gu
Yanyan Huang
The association between physical activity and depression among weekend catch-up sleepers: results from NHANES 2021–2023
BMC Psychiatry
Depression
Physical activity
Weekend catch-up sleep
Threshold effects
NHANES
title The association between physical activity and depression among weekend catch-up sleepers: results from NHANES 2021–2023
title_full The association between physical activity and depression among weekend catch-up sleepers: results from NHANES 2021–2023
title_fullStr The association between physical activity and depression among weekend catch-up sleepers: results from NHANES 2021–2023
title_full_unstemmed The association between physical activity and depression among weekend catch-up sleepers: results from NHANES 2021–2023
title_short The association between physical activity and depression among weekend catch-up sleepers: results from NHANES 2021–2023
title_sort association between physical activity and depression among weekend catch up sleepers results from nhanes 2021 2023
topic Depression
Physical activity
Weekend catch-up sleep
Threshold effects
NHANES
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07095-6
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