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Swap TV for Activity, Slash Depression Risk
13 Feb
Summary
- Reducing TV time by one hour lowers depression risk by 11%.
- Sports provide the greatest reduction in depression probability.
- Shifting TV time did not significantly help younger adults.
Reducing television viewing and engaging in more active behaviors can significantly decrease the likelihood of developing major depression. A four-year study following over 65,000 adults found that replacing 60 minutes of TV time with other activities lowered depression risk by 11%. This effect was even more pronounced in middle-aged adults.
Further increasing the time reallocated from TV viewing amplified these benefits. Replacing 90 to 120 minutes of television with active pursuits saw depression risk decrease by as much as 25.91%. Among the alternatives studied, sports activities consistently yielded the greatest reduction in depression probability.
While many substitutions for TV time showed positive effects, the benefits varied. Swapping 30 minutes of TV for household chores offered minimal advantage beyond a tidier home. However, dedicating that same half-hour to sports reduced depression risk by 18%, and physical activity at work or school decreased risk by 10%.
Commuting and sleep also contributed, reducing risk by 8% and 9% respectively. Notably, the positive impact of reallocating TV time was not significant for younger adults, likely due to their generally higher activity levels. For older adults, only participating in sports showed a meaningful reduction in depression risk.
