Depressive symptoms, health promotion, and health risk behaviors

Objectives. To assess the relationships between history of depressive sympt oms and smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary changes, attempts to lose wei ght or increase exercise, use of health services, and the likelihood of rec eiving influenza and pneumonia vaccinations, mammograms, and Pap tests. Methods. A survey of randomly sampled members of a large health maintenance organization (n = 5841). Results. Individuals with past depressive symptoms were more likely to smok e cigarettes (despite making more attempts to quit smoking); to drink more alcohol; to attempt to lose weight, increase exercise, reduce fat intake, i ncrease fiber intake; and, for women, to have a mammogram. Conclusions. Individuals with histories of depressive symptoms engage in mo re positive and negative health behaviors. Additionally, their increased se rvice use provides opportunities to achieve positive health changes and imp rove treatment outcomes.