Effects of substituting TV-watching time with physical activities or sleep on incident major depression. Results from the lifelines cohort study

Abstract Background Physical activity is a known protective factor against depression but physical activity competes with other time-consuming behaviors that may increase depression risk. This study investigates the association between time spent in various movement-related activities and incident m...

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Main Authors: Rosa Palazuelos-González, Richard C. Oude Voshaar, Aart C. Liefbroer, Nynke Smidt
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2025-01-01
Series:European Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S092493382510045X/type/journal_article
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Summary:Abstract Background Physical activity is a known protective factor against depression but physical activity competes with other time-consuming behaviors that may increase depression risk. This study investigates the association between time spent in various movement-related activities and incident major depression, with a particular focus on the effects of replacing TV-watching time with other activities. Additionally, we explored whether the impact of substituting TV-watching differs across age groups. Methods A population-based cohort study (Lifelines) with four-year follow-up, including 65,454 non-depressed adults (18+). Participants self-reported time spent in active commuting, leisure, sports, household, work or school physical-related activities, TV-watching, and sleep. Major depressive disorder was assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Compositional isotemporal data analysis was performed to analyze the effect of reallocating time in TV-watching with other activities adjusting for potential confounders. Interactions with age groups were also examined. Results The incidence of major depressive disorder was 2.4%. Reallocating TV-watching time to any other physical activity or sleep reduced this risk in middle-aged adults. In older adults, only substituting TV-watching time with sports reduced the probability of becoming depressed. No significant reduction in probabilities for incident depression was found in younger adults. Conclusion Replacing TV-watching time with other activities, including sleep, may serve as a preventive strategy against depressive disorder in middle-aged adults, while only the substitution with sports seems beneficial for older adults. Future research should aim to identify other activities, particularly in younger adults, that may prevent depression.
ISSN:0924-9338
1778-3585