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Depressive Symptoms and Past Lifestyle Among Japanese Elderly People

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Abstract

In order to develop an effective preventive intervention for depression, this cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the relationship between past lifestyle, social activity, and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling elderly people in Japan (n = 887). The Geriatric Depression Scale was used for assessing depressive symptoms. The lifestyle of middle-aged people was assessed using a recall report. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among the subjects was 12.9%. Logistic regression analyses showed that physical exercise, daily intake of well-balanced meals and milk products, and the presence of hobbies were related to the absence of depressive symptoms among both men and women. Among men, avoidance of excess salt and fat was related to the absence of depressive symptoms, while among women, moderate alcohol consumption and good relationships with neighbors were related. Physical exercise, dietary education, and promotion of social activities among middle-aged people were recommended for prevention of depressive symptoms.

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Acknowledgments

The authors express their gratitude to the Odawara Social Welfare Association and the members of Odawara Silver Club Union for their support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nursing, International University of Health and Welfare, 1-2-25 Shiroyama, Odawara City, Kanagawa, 250-8588, Japan

    Yoko Aihara, Junko Minai & Setsu Shimanouchi

  2. Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai Syowa ku, Nagoya City, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan

    Yoko Aihara & Atsuko Aoyama

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  1. Yoko Aihara
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  2. Junko Minai
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  4. Setsu Shimanouchi
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Correspondence to Yoko Aihara.

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Aihara, Y., Minai, J., Aoyama, A. et al. Depressive Symptoms and Past Lifestyle Among Japanese Elderly People. Community Ment Health J 47, 186–193 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-010-9317-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-010-9317-1

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