WALKING AND DEPRESSION IN A COHORT OF OLDER ADULTS - THE IOWA 65+ RURAL HEALTH STUDY

The purpose of the study was to develop an explanatory model of the ex ercise/depression relationship using a rural-residing population of el derly aged 65 or older. Subjects were selected from the 3,673 persons who participated in the Iowa 65+ Rural Health Study. The 2,084 subject s with complete data, valid information about depressive symptoms, and ability to walk across a small room were divided into Two cohort grou ps at baseline: those with few and those with more depressive symptoms . Logistic regression models using walking status, demographic variabl es, and chronic health conditions were developed to predict depressive symptoms for this population at a 3-year follow-up. Consistent with p revious studies using mixed-age cohorts, physical activity was negativ ely associated with depressive symptoms. We concluded that the relatio nship between exercise and depressive symptoms may be manifested in bo th subjects with more and few depressive symptoms because both groups benefited from daily walking.