One hour of physical activity per week would reduce the risk of depressionaccording to results of a study published in the medical journal American Journal of Psychiatry.
Researchers from the Black Dog Institute (Australia) used data from the Nord-Trøndelag County Health Study (HUNT Study) – one of the largest and most comprehensive demographic health surveys ever undertaken – conducted between January 1984 and June 1997. They carried out a study with 33,908 Norwegian adults for whom their level of physical activity and depression were followed for 11 years.
Participants reported the frequency and intensity of physical exercise in which they participated. They also completed a self-report questionnaire to indicate any anxiety or form of depression.
The results showed that people who said they did not exercise had a 44% increased risk of developing depression compared to those who exercised one to two hours a week.
“We have known for some time that exercise has a role to play in treating the symptoms of depressionbut this is the first time that we have been able to quantify the preventive potential of physical activity in terms of reducing future levels of depression,” explained Associate Professor Samuel Harvey, of the Black Dog Institute, lead author of the study.
“These results highlight the great potential of exercise in individual mental health plans and public health campaigns. If we can find ways to increase the physical activity level of the population, even if it is insignificant, it is likely to result in significant physical and mental health benefits”.
France does not move
These conclusions should alert French women who, according to the latest results of the Esteban survey conducted by Public Health France, are increasingly sedentary. It revealed that 22% of women combine a high level of sedentary lifestyle and a low level of physical activity against 17% of men. Only 53% of women meet the World Health Organization’s recommendations for physical activity, compared to 70% of men.
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