Physical activity and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: Does age and gender make a difference?

Abstract

Abstract Background There is overwhelming evidence indicating that depression may be reduced by physical activity (PA) but studies in lower- and middle-income countries and those that involved data at higher physical activity doses were underrepresented. The current study investigated the associations between PA levels (vigorous, moderate, walking and sitting) and depression, and tested whether age and gender moderates the link between PA and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method Participants were 857 adults (51.0% women; aged 18–69, mean age = 29.71, SD = 10.84 years) who completed an online survey as part of the General Health, Speech and Physical Activity Relationship Assessment Study in Nigeria. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) while depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results Results of Hayes PROCESS macro indicated that those who engaged in vigorous PA reported lower levels of depression. Sitting, walking and moderate PA were not significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Older participants reported less symptoms of depression. Women had higher depressive symptoms compared to men. The interactions of age and gender with the PA levels were not significant, which showed that age and gender did not moderate the relationships of PA and depression. Conclusion Health practitioners should encourage people to engage in vigorous PA in order to reduce levels of depression and improve mental health in the general population.