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Sedentary Behaviour and Depression

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Sedentary Behaviour Epidemiology

Part of the book series: Springer Series on Epidemiology and Public Health ((SSEH))

Abstract

Depressive symptoms are known to adversely influence longevity and well-being. In particular, depression is independently associated with cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality and is often co-morbid with chronic diseases that can worsen their associated health outcomes. Several decades of evidence suggests that regular participation in exercise/physical activity promotes positive mood state, has anti-depressive effects, and can protect individuals from developing depression. More recently, researchers have turned their attention to effects of sedentary behaviours on mental health. Sedentary leisure pursuits, such as viewing television, films, playing video games, etc., are generally perceived to be enjoyable and relaxing. It is, therefore, somewhat of a paradox that emerging data suggest sedentary behaviour may be a risk factor for depression independently from physical activity. In this overview, we examine epidemiologic evidence for an association between sedentary behaviour and depressive symptoms and discuss biologically plausible mechanisms. In summary, the area of sedentary behaviour and mental health is an emerging area, and data should be interpreted in light of several limitations including the use of poor exposure measures, potential for residual confounding, and lack of gold standard experimental data.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    NFκB: nuclear factor kappa B

  2. 2.

    NFAT: nuclear factor of activated T-cells

  3. 3.

    MAPK: mitogen-activated protein kinase

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK

    Mark Hamer

  2. The Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK

    Lee Smith

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  1. Mark Hamer
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  2. Lee Smith
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Correspondence to Mark Hamer .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany

    Michael F. Leitzmann

  2. Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany

    Carmen Jochem

  3. Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany

    Daniela Schmid

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Hamer, M., Smith, L. (2018). Sedentary Behaviour and Depression. In: Leitzmann, M., Jochem, C., Schmid, D. (eds) Sedentary Behaviour Epidemiology. Springer Series on Epidemiology and Public Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61552-3_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61552-3_11

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