Outdoor activity time and depression risk among adults aged 40 years and older: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2011–2018 data
BackgroundDepression is a significant global public health issue, affecting millions worldwide. Outdoor activities have shown potential mental health benefits, but the specific mechanisms and influencing factors remain unclear.ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the association between time sp...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1506168/full |
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| author | Kai Liu Cheng Guo Juan Xie Liming Cheng |
| author_facet | Kai Liu Cheng Guo Juan Xie Liming Cheng |
| author_sort | Kai Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundDepression is a significant global public health issue, affecting millions worldwide. Outdoor activities have shown potential mental health benefits, but the specific mechanisms and influencing factors remain unclear.ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the association between time spent outdoors and depression risk among U.S. adults, with a focus on variations across age and ethnic groups.MethodsUsing data from the NHANES 2011–2018 survey, we analyzed 9,036 adults aged 20 years and older. Participants self-reported their outdoor activity time and depressive symptoms. Statistical analysis, accounting for various demographic and lifestyle factors, was employed to assess the relationship between outdoor activity and depression risk.ResultsSpending more time outdoors was associated with a 51% lower risk of depression (odds ratio: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.40–0.64). Subgroup analysis revealed that this association was particularly pronounced among adults aged 40 and older, as well as non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic blacks.ConclusionEncouraging outdoor activities may represent an effective public health strategy to reduce depression risk, particularly among middle-aged and older adults and specific ethnic populations. Public health policies should prioritize initiatives that encourage outdoor engagement, and future research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and population-specific responses to outdoor activity. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5837884ca16440fbb70b75efa4f03706 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-5837884ca16440fbb70b75efa4f037062025-01-22T07:10:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-01-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15061681506168Outdoor activity time and depression risk among adults aged 40 years and older: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2011–2018 dataKai Liu0Cheng Guo1Juan Xie2Liming Cheng3Comprehensive Pediatrics, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming, ChinaComprehensive Pediatrics, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming, ChinaComprehensive Pediatrics, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming, ChinaBackgroundDepression is a significant global public health issue, affecting millions worldwide. Outdoor activities have shown potential mental health benefits, but the specific mechanisms and influencing factors remain unclear.ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the association between time spent outdoors and depression risk among U.S. adults, with a focus on variations across age and ethnic groups.MethodsUsing data from the NHANES 2011–2018 survey, we analyzed 9,036 adults aged 20 years and older. Participants self-reported their outdoor activity time and depressive symptoms. Statistical analysis, accounting for various demographic and lifestyle factors, was employed to assess the relationship between outdoor activity and depression risk.ResultsSpending more time outdoors was associated with a 51% lower risk of depression (odds ratio: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.40–0.64). Subgroup analysis revealed that this association was particularly pronounced among adults aged 40 and older, as well as non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic blacks.ConclusionEncouraging outdoor activities may represent an effective public health strategy to reduce depression risk, particularly among middle-aged and older adults and specific ethnic populations. Public health policies should prioritize initiatives that encourage outdoor engagement, and future research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and population-specific responses to outdoor activity.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1506168/fulloutdoordepressionactivitiestimeNHANES |
| spellingShingle | Kai Liu Cheng Guo Juan Xie Liming Cheng Outdoor activity time and depression risk among adults aged 40 years and older: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2011–2018 data Frontiers in Psychology outdoor depression activities time NHANES |
| title | Outdoor activity time and depression risk among adults aged 40 years and older: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2011–2018 data |
| title_full | Outdoor activity time and depression risk among adults aged 40 years and older: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2011–2018 data |
| title_fullStr | Outdoor activity time and depression risk among adults aged 40 years and older: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2011–2018 data |
| title_full_unstemmed | Outdoor activity time and depression risk among adults aged 40 years and older: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2011–2018 data |
| title_short | Outdoor activity time and depression risk among adults aged 40 years and older: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2011–2018 data |
| title_sort | outdoor activity time and depression risk among adults aged 40 years and older a cross sectional analysis of nhanes 2011 2018 data |
| topic | outdoor depression activities time NHANES |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1506168/full |
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