Mental health and family functioning as correlates of a sedentary lifestyle among low-income women with young children

The authors in this cross-sectional study examined mental health and family environmental factors related to a sedentary lifestyle, including lack of leisure-time physical activity and high levels of television viewing, among low-income mothers/female guardians of preschool-aged children. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 131 mothers in 2010. Primary outcome measures included television viewing time (minutes/day) and leisure-time physical activity (<150 versus ≥150 minutes per week). Independent variables included depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and family functioning. Demographic factors (age, marriage, work status, education, number of children in the household, and race/ethnicity) were examined as potential covariates. Participating women watched television on average 186.1 minutes/day (i.e., >3 hours). Additionally, 36% of women engaged in less than the recommended 150-minute leisure-time physical activity per week. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that greater depressive symptoms (B = 76.4, p < 0.01) and lower family functioning (B = 33.0, p < 0.05) were independently related to greater television viewing when controlling for other variables. No independent factors were identified for lack of leisure-time physical activity when controlling for other covariates. Findings suggest that health promotion efforts to promote an active lifestyle among low-income women with young children should address mental health and family functioning factors, especially depressive symptoms.     

Associations between physical activity,television viewing and postnatal depressive symptoms amongst healthy primiparous mothers

BackgroundPostnatal depression is a serious illness in new mothers. In the general population, physical activity (PA) has been found to reduce the risk of depression, whilst sedentary behaviour (SB; in particular television viewing) has been linked to higher levels of depressive symptoms, yet little is known regarding associations between PA, SB and postnatal depression. This study aimed to investigate associations between PA, television viewing and postnatal depressive symptoms in healthy primiparous mothers..MethodsCross-sectional survey data were provided by 406 first-time mothers (approximately 3-months postpartum) enrolled in the Melbourne InFANT Extend trial (2012/2013). Women self-reported PA (time spent walking for leisure and transport, and other moderate and vigorous PA), television viewing, and depressive symptoms (CES-D 10). Random intercept linear models examined associations between PA, television viewing and depressive symptoms.ResultsIn crude models total PA was inversely associated with risk of postnatal depressive symptoms (B = −0.122; 95% CI = −0.24, -0.01). In models adjusted for key sociodemographic and behavioural covariates the association did not remain statistically significant. No other associations between PA, television viewing and postnatal depressive symptoms were evident..ConclusionsPostnatal depressive symptoms may not be related to PA and television viewing in the same way that these behaviours predict depressive symptoms in the general population. Further investigation of the specific domains of PA, as well as different types/contexts of SB and their respective associations with postnatal depressive symptoms is warranted in order to better inform development of targeted interventions aimed at enhancing postnatal mental health..     

The relationships between indicators of physical activity, indicators of sedentary behaviour and adiposity in French adults: the FLVS II study

Increasing habitual physical activity and decreasing sedentary behaviour have both been identified as targets for the prevention of unhealthy weight gain and obesity. To improve health monitoring in the context of nutrition-related disease prevention, there is a need to better define relevant indicators of sedentary behaviour. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between indicators of physical activity, indicators of sedentary behaviour and body fat in French adults. We analysed cross-sectional data from a community-based survey in northern France (213 men, age: 44±5 years; 192 women, age: 42±4 years; mean±SD). Physical activity and sedentary behaviour during the past year were assessed using the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire. Indicators of physical activity were leisure-time and occupational physical activity, indicators of sedentary behaviour during leisure were reading and “screen viewing” (including time spent watching television/video, playing video games, and using a computer). Body-fat percentage was assessed using bio-impedance analysis. In univariate analysis (Spearman rank correlations), reading and screen viewing were not significantly correlated; reading was positively associated with leisure-time physical activity in women and negatively associated with occupational physical activity in men. In multivariate analyses (stepforward regression models) stratified by gender and educational level, independent predictors of percent body fat included, in women, screen viewing (positive association), occupational physical activity (positive association) and leisure-time activity (negative association), but not reading; in men, only reading was associated with percent body fat, with a negative relationship in those with a high educational level. Relationships between indicators of sedentary lifestyle and body fat differ according to gender and type of sedentary pasttime. The data emphasise that sedentary lifestyle represents a complex set of behaviours and that various sedentary behviours may have distinct effects with regard to health outcomes. These results point out the need to assess selected indicators of sedentary behaviour when considering health monitoring in public health nutrition.     

Beliefs About Child TV Viewing in Low-Income Mexican American Parents of Preschoolers: Development of the Beliefs About Child TV Viewing Scale (B-TV)

Objectives Parental beliefs about child television viewing may affect the way parents regulate child television viewing. Despite this, little research has focused on the development of measures of parental beliefs about child television viewing, particularly among ethnic minority parents and parents of young children. This study’s objective was to develop and test a culturally-based measure of parental beliefs about television viewing in low-income Mexican American mothers of preschoolers. Methods Using a cross-sectional study design, 22 items reflecting parental beliefs about influences of TV on children were developed and assessed for psychometric properties in a sample of 312 low-income Mexican American mothers of preschoolers. Results Using exploratory factor analysis, we identified four factors reflecting four domains of parental beliefs: positive general beliefs, positive sleep-related beliefs, positive functional beliefs, and negative general beliefs. Internal reliabilities were acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha?=?0.70–0.89) for all factors except negative general beliefs (Cronbach’s alpha?=?0.61). Positive sleep-related beliefs and Positive Functional Beliefs were correlated with children’s average daily hours of TV (r?=?0.16, p?<?.01; r?=?0.22, p?<?.001, respectively) and with mother’s average daily hours of TV (r?=?0.14, p?<?.05; r?=?0.22, p?<?.001, respectively), providing initial support for construct validity. Conclusions for Practice The Beliefs about Child TV viewing scale measures four domains of parental beliefs regarding child TV viewing, and has good initial reliability and validity for three factors. Future use will allow investigators to conduct more in-depth evaluations on the influence of parental beliefs on the way parents shape their child’s use of the TV.     

Does occupation moderate the association between domain-based physical activity and depressive symptoms?

Our aim was to test the potential moderating role of occupation type in the association between the domains of physical activity and depressive symptoms. We used data of 51,895 adults (44.8% women, 40.7 ± 13.3 years), currently employed, from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Self-reported physical activity (min/week) was assessed in four domains (i.e., leisure-time, transportation, occupational, and household). Type of occupation was characterized into five categories according to the International Standard Classification of Occupations: 1) Managers/qualified professionals, 2) Technicians/associate professionals, 3) Clerks/service workers, 4) Qualified manual workers, 5) Elementary manual workers. Age, ethnicity, educational level, income, and TV-viewing were used as covariates. Poisson regression was used for the analysis of association and moderation, through the inclusion of interaction terms. In the whole sample, leisure-time physical activity was associated with lower depressive symptoms, while transportation, occupational and household physical activity were associated with higher depressive symptoms. Type of occupation modified the association between leisure-time physical activity and depressive symptoms. That is, compared to managers/qualified professionals, leisure-time physical activity had larger associations with increased depressive symptoms in technicians/associate professionals (considering an increase of 100 min/wk of physical activity: unstandardized coefficient [B]:0.073, 95%CI:0.024; 0.121), qualified (B:0.067, 95%CI:0.025; 0.110) and elementary (B:0.065, 95%CI:0.016; 0.115) manual workers than among managers/qualified professionals. Stratified analyzes by occupation suggested that leisure-time physical activity was associated with lower depressive symptoms especially among managers/qualified professionals, while household physical activity and occupational physical activity were consistently associated with higher depressive symptoms across the different occupations. Transportation physical activity was associated with elevated depressive symptoms among clerks/service workers and qualified manual workers. The association between the domains of physical activity and depressive symptoms is dependent on the type of occupation. Future research exploring the association between domain-based physical activity and depression should account for the type of occupation.     

Predictors of mental health in midlife and older Australian women: A multilevel investigation

The purpose of this article is to examine the factors associated with women's mental health. A random sample of 340 Australian women aged 40–55 completed surveys on menopausal and lifestyle factors and mental health at three time points. We used hierarchical models to show that decrements in mental health were associated with a corresponding increase in some midlife symptoms (p < .01), time (p < .01), and poor physical health (p < .01), but the effect was not permanent. In older women, mental health was associated with physical functioning, climacteric symptoms, and time, while individual variations in mental health score were largely explained by lifestyle factors.     

Physical activity and quality of life in older women with a history of depressive symptoms

Physical activity (PA) is positively associated with health-related quality of life (HRQL) in older adults. It is not evident whether this association applies to older adults with poor mental health. This study examined associations between PA and HRQL in older women with a history of depressive symptoms. Participants were 555 Australian women born in 1921–1926 who reported depressive symptoms in 1999 on a postal survey for the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. They completed additional surveys in 2002, 2005 and 2008 that assessed HRQL and weekly minutes walking, in moderate PA, and in vigorous PA. Random effects mixed models were used to examine concurrent and prospective associations between PA and each of 10 HRQL measures (eight SF-36 subscales; two composite scales). In concurrent models, higher levels of PA were associated with better HRQL (p < 0.001). The strongest associations were found for the bodily pain, physical functioning, general health perceptions, social functioning and vitality measures. Associations were attenuated in prospective models, more so for mental HRQL-related scales than for physical HRQL-related scales. However, strong associations (> 3 point differences) were evident for physical functioning, general health, vitality and social functioning. For women in their 70s–80s with a history of depressive symptoms, PA is positively associated with HRQL concurrently, and to a lesser extent prospectively. This study extends previous work by showing significant associations in older women with a history of depressive symptoms. Incorporating PA into depression management of older women may improve their HRQL.     

Do working mothers raise couch potato kids? Maternal employment and children's lifestyle behaviours and weight in early childhood

Alarm about the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity has focussed attention on individual lifestyle behaviours that may contribute to unhealthy weight. More distal predictors such as maternal employment may also be implicated since working mothers have less time to supervise children's daily activities. The research reported here used two waves of data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children to investigate whether mothers' hours in paid work shape young children's television viewing, snacking and physical activity, and through those lifestyle behaviours, children's weight at ages 4–5 years and 6–7 years. At both ages, children's lifestyle behaviours were interrelated and associated with weight status. Cross-sectional analysis confirmed small, direct associations between longer hours of maternal employment and child weight at age 4–5 years, but not with child's weight measured two years later. In both the cross-sectional and prospective analyses, the children of mothers who worked part-time watched less television and were less likely to be overweight than children of mothers who were not employed or who worked full-time. While associations were small, they remained significant after adjustment for maternal weight, household income and other factors. The combination of direct and indirect relationships between mothers' work hours and the weight status of their young children provides additional support to calls for family-friendly work policies as an important means for promoting healthy family lifestyles and early childhood wellbeing.     

Associations between dietary patterns, physical activity (leisure-time and occupational) and television viewing in middle-aged French adults

Diet and physical activity are considered to be major components of a healthy lifestyle. However, few studies have examined in detail the relationships between specific types of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and diet in adults. The objective of the present study was to assess differential relationships between dietary patterns, leisure-time and occupational physical activities and time spent watching television (TV), as an indicator of sedentary behaviour, in middle-aged French subjects. We performed a cross-sectional analysis using data from 1359 participants in the SUpplémentation en VItamines et Minéraux AntioXydants study, who completed a detailed physical activity questionnaire and at least six 24 h dietary records. Sex-specific dietary patterns were derived using factor analysis; their relationships with leisure-time and occupational physical activities and TV viewing were assessed using ANCOVA, after adjustment for age, educational level and smoking status. Three dietary patterns were identified in each sex. After adjustment for potential confounders, leisure-time physical activity was positively associated with a 'healthy' food pattern in both men (P for trend < 0·01) and women (P for trend < 0·03) and negatively associated with an 'alcohol/meat' pattern in men (P for trend < 0·01). TV viewing was positively associated with a 'convenience' pattern in men and with a 'alcohol-appetiser' pattern in women. In conclusion, identification of relationships between dietary patterns, physical activity and sedentary behaviour can enable identification of different types of lifestyle and should help to target at-risk groups in nutrition prevention programmes.     

Physical functioning among mid-life women: Associations with trajectory of depressive symptoms

During midlife, physical functioning limitations emerge and depressive symptoms are highly prevalent. We examined the relationship between physical functioning and depressive symptoms in the Michigan Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) cohort of mid-life women (n = 377). Seven performance-based physical functioning measures quantifying strength, balance, coordination, flexibility and range of motion and perceived physical functioning, assessed with the SF-36 physical functioning sub-score, were included. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) identified concurrent depressive symptom trajectory from 2000/2001 through 2005/2006 and history of depressive symptoms from 1996/1997 through 1999/1900. Longitudinal mixed-effects regression modeling was used to evaluate relationships. Median age of participants was 50 years. As age increased, higher CES-D scores were associated with performance-based functions including slower timed walk sit-to-stand, and stair climb after adjusting for five-year history of depressive symptoms and relevant covariates. As age increased, those with higher CES-D scores were more likely to have perceived limitations in physical functioning, though the association was weak. History of depressive symptoms was not significant in any model. These findings suggest that higher concurrent depressive symptoms are modestly associated with slower movement and a perception of poorer functioning. In contrast, history of depressive symptoms played little or no role in current physical functioning of mid-life women. When evaluating physical function, women’s current mental health status should be considered.     

The influence of stress and social support on depressive symptoms in mothers with young children

Limited research has examined the associations of stress, social support, and depression among mothers with young children over time. Longitudinal studies are needed to identify risk and protective factors for maternal depression given that depression can be cyclical and may affect women through the early years of their children’s development. This study examined the relationships among stress, social support, and depressive symptoms in a national sample of low-income urban American women with young children. A secondary data analysis of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a national longitudinal panel study of nearly 5000 births across 20 cities with populations of 200,000 or more in the United States, was conducted. The analytic sample included all mothers (N = 3675) who completed assessments at baseline through year 5 of the study between 1998 and 2005. Multivariate models using generalized estimating equations were used to estimate the probability of being depressed as a function of stress-related risk factors, social support factors, and sociodemographic variables. The rate of depression each year ranged from 15% to 21%. The results suggest that stress related to economic hardship, parenting, and poor physical health increases the risk of depression among low-income urban mothers with young children. Instrumental and partner support were found to be potential protective factors in reducing the negative effects of stress, but only to a certain degree. Future efforts are needed to strengthen social support and mitigate chronic stressors that contribute to mental health problems in low-income communities.     

Dietary Intakes and Physical Activity among Preschool-Aged Children Living in Rural American Indian Communities before a Family-Based Healthy Lifestyle Intervention

Objective

To report dietary intake and physical activity among preschool-aged children living in rural American Indian communities before participation in a family-based healthy lifestyle intervention and to compare data to current age-specific recommendations.

Subjects/design

One hundred thirty-five preschool-aged children, living in rural American Indian communities, provided diet and physical activity data before participating in a 2-year randomized healthy lifestyle intervention. Three 24-hour dietary recalls assessed nutrient and food and added sugar intake, which were compared to the National Academy of Science's Dietary Reference Intakes, the US Department of Agriculture's MyPyramid, and American Heart Association recommendations. Time watching television and moderate plus vigorous activity was compared to MyPyramid and American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations.

Statistical analysis

Nutrient, food group, added sugar intake, and time watching television and in moderate or vigorous activity were compared to recommendations by computing the percent of recommendations met. Nonparametric tests identified differences in diet and physical activity among age groups and normal and overweight children (body mass index <85th and ≥85th percentile).

Results

Average nutrient intakes met recommendations whereas food group intakes did not. Mean fruit and vegetable intakes for 2- to 3-year-olds were 0.36 c/day fruit and 0.45 c/day vegetables and, for 4- to 5-year-olds, 0.33 c/day fruit and 0.48 c/day vegetables. Both age groups reported consuming more than 50 g added sugar, exceeding the recommendation of 16 g. Overweight vs normal weight children reported significantly more sweetened beverage intake (8.0±0.10 vs 5.28±0.08 oz/day, P<0.01). On average, all children reported watching television 2.0 hours/day and significant differences were observed for total television viewing and nonviewing time between overweight and normal weight children (8.52±0.6 vs 6.54±0.6 hours/day, P<0.01). All children engaged in <20 minutes/day of moderate or vigorous activity.

Conclusions

Overall, children in this sample did not meet MyPyramid recommendations for fruits or vegetables and exceed added sugar intake recommendations. Television viewing time and time when the television was on in the home was highly prevalent along with low levels of moderate or vigorous activity. The Healthy Children Strong Families intervention we studied has potential for improving nutrition and physical activity among preschool-aged children living in rural American Indian communities.     

Neighborhood walkability and TV viewing time among Australian adults

BACKGROUND: Built-environment attributes of a neighborhood are associated with participation in physical activity and may also influence time spent in sedentary behaviors. Associations of neighborhood walkability (based on dwelling density, street connectivity, land-use mix, and net retail area) and television viewing time were compared in a large, spatially-derived sample of Australian adults. METHODS: Neighborhood-level variables (walkability and socioeconomic status [SES]) were calculated in 154 Australian census collection districts using Geographic Information Systems. Individual-level variables (TV viewing time, time spent in leisure-time physical activity, height, weight, and sociodemographic variables) were collected from adults living in urban areas of Adelaide, Australia using a mail survey (N=2224) in 2003-2004. Multilevel linear regression analysis was conducted in 2006 separately for men and women to examine variations in TV viewing time across tertiles of walkability. RESULTS: Neighborhood walkability was negatively associated with TV viewing time in women, but not in men. After controlling for neighborhood SES, body mass index, physical activity, and sociodemographic variables, women living in medium- and high-walkable neighborhoods reported significantly less TV viewing time per day (14 minutes and 17 minutes, respectively) compared to those residing in low-walkable neighborhoods. CONCLUSIONS: Built-environment attributes of neighborhoods that are related to physical activity also may play an important role in influencing sedentary behavior, particularly among women. Considering the effects of prolonged sedentary time on health risks, which are independent of physical activity, there is the need for further research to explore how environmental characteristics may contribute to the amount of time spent in sedentary behavior.     

Relationship of perceived job strain and workplace support to antenatal depressive symptoms among pregnant employees in Taiwan

Most Taiwanese women continue to work throughout pregnancy. Few studies have investigated the prevalence of antenatal depressive symptoms in employed women and their relationship with work-related factors. We explored the relations of work-related factors, including perceived job strain and workplace support, to depressive symptoms among pregnant Taiwanese employees. During 2015–2016, we interviewed 153 employees in their third trimester of pregnancy using questionnaires to collect data on demographics, pregnancy status, physical conditions, work-related factors, family function, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The prevalence of antenatal depressive symptoms, based on EPDS scores≥13, was 13.7%. Pregnant employees with depressive symptoms had lower Family APGAR scores (p < 0.0001) and lower scores on all scales of the HRQoL (p < 0.05). Controlling for covariates, work-related feelings of stress and distress were associated with increased odds of antenatal depressive symptoms (Odds Ratio [OR] = 4.7, 95% confidence Interval [95% CI] = 1.3–19.9). Feeling tired at work (OR = 9.1, 95% CI = 2.3–47.0) and lack of support from colleagues (OR = 16.7, 95% CI = 2.9–53.1) were significantly associated with antenatal depressive symptoms. Such information will facilitate implementation of supportive workplace climates for pregnant employees by employers, supervisors, and occupational and environmental health nurses, which may help improve the health of pregnant employees.     

Social inequalities in depressive symptoms and physical functioning in the Whitehall II study: exploring a common cause explanation

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study investigated which risk factors might explain social inequalities in both depressive symptoms and physical functioning and whether a common set of risk factors might account for the association between depressive symptoms and physical functioning. DESIGN: A longitudinal prospective occupational cohort study of female and male civil servants relating risk factors at baseline (phase 1: 1985-8) to employment grade gradients in depressive symptoms and physical functioning at follow up (phase 5: 1997-9). Analyses include the 7270 men and women who participated at phase 5. SETTING: Whitehall II Study: 20 London based white collar civil service departments. PARTICIPANTS: Male and female civil servants, 35-55 years at baseline. MAIN RESULTS: Depressive symptoms were measured by a subscale of items from the 30 item General Health Questionnaire. Physical functioning was measured by a subscale of the SF-36. Employment grade was used as a measure of socioeconomic position as it reflects both income and status. The grade gradient in depressive symptoms was entirely explained by risk factors including work characteristics, material disadvantage, social supports, and health behaviours. These risk factors only partially explained the gradient in physical functioning. The correlation between depressive symptoms and physical functioning was reduced by adjustment for risk factors and baseline health status but not much of the association was explained by adjustment for risk factors. Among women, the association between depression and physical functioning was significantly stronger in the lower grades both before and after adjustment for risk factors and baseline health. For women, there was only a significant grade gradient in depressive symptoms among those reporting physical ill health. CONCLUSIONS: Some risk factors contribute jointly to the explanation of social inequalities in mental and physical health although their relative importance differs. Work is most important for inequalities in depressive symptoms in men, and work and material disadvantage are equally important in explaining inequalities in depressive symptoms in women while health behaviours are more important for explaining inequalities in physical functioning. These risk factors did not account for the association between mental health and physical health or the greater comorbidity seen in women of lower socioeconomic status. The risk of secondary psychological distress among those with physical ill health is greater in the low employment grades.     

马鞍山市婴幼儿视屏暴露现况及影响因素分析

目的 调查马鞍山市市区婴幼电视、DVD/VCD、手机等电子产品的视屏暴露状况,分析婴幼儿不当视屏暴露的影响因素。方法 2016年12月-2017年12月采用自行设计的开放式久坐行为问卷对进行4-2-1体检的12月龄和18月龄婴幼儿收集视屏暴露时间,同时收集其社会人口统计学特征、带养者视屏暴露等信息。结果 12月龄和18月龄儿童总视屏暴露率分别为63.2%和89.4%,每天总视屏暴露时间分别为(15.0±25.3)min和(41.2±49.5)min。多因素二分类Logistic回归分析显示家长认为儿童看电视对婴儿认知发育有利、家庭电视经常播放、家长经常陪伴儿童看电视以及从不控制儿童看电视,是18月龄儿童发生不当视屏暴露的危险因素(OR值分别为3.15、6.30、7.64和6.57,P<0.05)。结论 马鞍山市市区婴儿视屏暴露较普遍,家长的观念和行为以及家庭环境是儿童视屏暴露的影响因素。应该教育家长以身作则,减少家庭屏幕时间以减少婴幼儿视屏暴露,促进儿童健康成长。     

Leisure-time physical activity and related lifestyle characteristics among middle-aged Japanese. Japan Lifestyle Monitoring Study Group

The present study describes leisure-time physical activity status and related lifestyle factors in middle-aged Japanese. Data were obtained from 1,893 (905 men, 988 women) participants aged 40-69 years who had either been selected from a public registry or who had visited a healthcare facility. Subjects responded to a self-administered questionnaire and were interviewed using an assessment method for leisure-time and on-the-job physical activity within the last 12 months by trained interviewers. According to the leisure-time physical activity score, men and urban residents tended to engage in more leisure-time physical activity than did women and rural residents, respectively. Leisure-time physical activity tended to be inversely associated with on-the-job physical activity in all cases aside from women in urban regions, and also to be associated with higher levels of education in rural regions. Subjects engaging in more leisure-time physical activity had higher odds ratios of certain lifestyle factors, indicating a healthy lifestyle that included a variety of foods in their diet and a subjective sense of wellness in both men and women, in addition to non-smoking and drinking milk in men. These results suggested that leisure-time physical activity is influenced by socio-environmental factors, and that it is accompanied by other healthy behavior.     

Changes in occupational class differences in leisure-time physical activity: a follow-up study

Background  

Physical activity is known to have health benefits across population groups. However, less is known about changes over time in socioeconomic differences in leisure-time physical activity and the reasons for the changes. We hypothesised that class differences in leisure-time physical activity would widen over time due to declining physical activity among the lower occupational classes. We examined whether occupational class differences in leisure-time physical activity change over time in a cohort of Finnish middle-aged women and men. We also examined whether a set of selected covariates could account for the observed changes.     

Perceived influences on and strategies to reduce sedentary behavior in disadvantaged women experiencing depressive symptoms: A qualitative study

ObjectiveRecent studies have found linked sedentary behavior (e.g. Television viewing) with risk of depression. Socio-economically disadvantaged women comprise one group at high risk of both sedentary behavior and depression; hence it is important to explore the influences on sedentary behavior amongst this target group. This study assessed perceived influences on sedentary behavior (particularly television viewing) amongst women living in disadvantaged neighborhoods and experiencing depressive symptoms, as well as potential strategies to reduce sedentary behavior amongst this target group.MethodsEighteen women (aged 18–46) living in disadvantaged neighborhoods and experiencing depressive symptoms (assessed using the CES-D 10) participated in semi-structured telephone interviews which assessed intra-personal, social and physical environmental influences on sedentary behavior. Women were also encouraged to suggest strategies that may assist in reducing sedentary behavior. Thematic analyses were performed on transcribed interview data.ResultsThe qualitative data revealed four key themes relating to influences on television viewing: depression, childhood television habits, weather, and the impact of children. Strategies which were suggested by women to reduce sedentary behavior included time management/multi-tasking and standing versus sitting.ConclusionsWomen were able to suggest few strategies to explicitly reduce sedentary behavior, indicating the need for further promotion, education and research.