Meeting the WHO physical activity guidelines is associated with lower odds of depression in older adults: Potential psychosomatic mechanisms

Objectives Limited data exist on the association between physical activity (PA) and depression in older adults from low—and middle-income countries (LMICs). In this study, we examine the association between meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) PA guidelines and depression in adults aged ≥50 years in Ghana and investigate the psychosomatic factors explaining this association. Methods Cross-sectional data from the Aging, Health, Psychological Well-being, and Health-seeking Behavior Study in Ghana (2016-18) were analyzed. Depression was assessed with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10). PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Multivariable logistic regression and Hayes PROCESS macro with bootstrapping mediation analyses were performed to evaluate the hypothesized associations. Results The study included 1201 individuals (mean (SD) age 66.1 (11.9) years; 63.3% women). The prevalence of meeting PA guidelines and depression was 36.7% and 29.5%, respectively. Meeting the WHO-recommended PA guidelines was associated with a 16% lower rate of developing depression even after adjusting for potential confounders (OR=0.84, p<0.001). This association was much stronger among men and those aged 50-64 years. Loneliness, social isolation, sleep problems, functional limitations, and pain characteristics largely mediated the association of PA with depression. Conclusions PA was negatively associated with depression among older adults in Ghana, and psychosocial and physical factors partially explained the association. The promotion of PA in old age may aid in the prevention of depression, especially in men and those aged 50-64 years. Longitudinal data may confirm our findings.