| Abstract: | Our aim was to analyze the association between different social contexts of physical activity (PA) and depressive symptoms. Data from the Brazilian National Health Survey (PNS) (n = 59,722; ≥18 years) were used. The social context of leisure-time PA classified according to the higher probability of being practiced in group (group PA) or individually (individual PA)] and total PA time were self-reported. Depressive symptoms were evaluated through the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Chronological age, ethnicity, educational status, employment status, tobacco smoking, alcohol ingestion, and soft drink consumption were co-variables. Logistic regression models were applied for association analyses. Among men, individual and group PA were associated with lower depressive symptoms compared with the no PA group among men Individual: OR:0.59 (95%CI:0.40 to 0.86); Group: OR:0.42 (95%CI:0.29 to 0.59)]. Sensitivity analysis revealed that men involved in group PA were 40% OR:0.60 (95%CI:0.38 to 0.94)] less likely to present elevated depressive symptoms when compared with individual PA. In females, no differences in depressive symptoms were observed comparing individual PA OR:0.89 (95%CI:0.71 to 1.11)] and group PA OR:0.86 (95%CI:0.54 to 1.37)] with the no PA group. Activities that are more likely to be a group PA demonstrated a stronger association with low depressive symptoms among men, but not women. |
