Walking activity and depressive symptoms among Mexican American older adults aged 80 years and older

TL;DR

Walking for at least 150 minutes per week is linked to lower odds of developing depressive symptoms in Mexican American adults aged 80 and older over nine years.

Contribution

The study identifies a specific walking threshold (≥150 minutes/week) associated with reduced depressive symptoms in a growing demographic of older Mexican Americans.

Findings

Walking ≥150 minutes/week was associated with 47% lower odds of developing depressive symptoms compared to non-walkers.

Walking <150 minutes/week showed a non-significant reduction in depressive symptoms risk.

Engaging in any walking activity was linked to a reduced risk of depressive symptoms in this population.

Abstract

Physical activity is known to be protective for the development of depressive symptoms in older adults. We examined the relationship between walking activity and depressive symptoms among Mexican American older adults without a history of depressive symptoms at baseline over a 9-year period. Participants (N = 836) were Mexican American aged 80 years and older living in the southwestern United States (Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas) from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (2007/05-2016). Measures included socio-demographics and health characteristics. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D ≥ 16). At baseline, participants were grouped into non-walkers (n = 535), walked < 150 minute/week (n = 123), and walked 150 minutes/week or more (n = 178). Generalized Estimating Equation models estimated the odds ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) of depressive symptoms as a function of walking activity status controlling for all covariates. We found that those who walked ≥150 minutes/week had lower odds (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.30-0.93) of developing depressive symptoms over time compared to non-walkers after controlling for all covariates. There was a non-significant relationship between walking < 150 minutes/week and depressive symptoms (OR = 0.81, 095% CI = 0.51-1.31) over time compared to non-walkers after controlling for all covariates. In conclusion, Mexican American older adults who engaged in any walking activity were at reduced risk of developing depressive symptoms. Preventing depression in this growing population may improve their quality of life and reduce their burden of care.