EVALUATION OF SMOKING ON THE PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS RELATIONSHIP

Physical activity is inversely associated with depressive symptoms, an d cigarette smoking is positively associated with depressive symptoms. Data from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) and the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up study were analyze d to determine whether the relationship between physical activity and self-reported distress (depressive symptoms as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) was different for cigarett e smokers and nonsmokers. Logistic regression was used to calculate od ds ratios (adjusted for age, race, sex, education, alcohol use, and pe rceived health status) for depressive symptoms (greater than or equal to 16) associated with physical activity and smoking status among 2,05 4 respondents. At baseline, the odds ratio for depressive symptoms was about 2 times higher for moderately active smokers and nonsmokers, an d 3 times higher for low active smokers and nonsmokers, compared with highly active nonsmokers. For 1,132 persons with a low number of depre ssive symptoms (<16) at baseline, the incidence of depressive symptoms after 7-9 yr of follow-up was about 2 times higher for low/moderately active smokers and nonsmokers than for highly active nonsmokers. The association between physical activity and the prevalence and incidence of depressive symptoms is not significantly modified by smoking statu s.