Tasmanian researchers have found strong links between unhealthy lifestyles and depression.
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The University of Tasmania’s Menzies Institute for Medical Research studied the impact of lifestyle on depression and vice versa by following the progress of 1200 people over five years.
Lead author Seana Gall said people with healthier lifestyles at the beginning of the study were significantly less likely to develop an episode of depression, while those with a history of depression were more likely to lose points in a lifestyle assessment in the same period.
Lifestyles were assessed through a score based on body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, leisure time, exercise and diet. Factors such as marital status, socioeconomic status and self-rated physical health did not have an impact.
Dr Gall said the results suggested a healthy lifestyle may protect against the first onset of depression.
“This is the first study to consider the association between this number of health behaviours and risk of developing depression over time,” Dr Gall said.
“Studying individual risk factors and their relationship with depression ignores the fact that risk factors often cluster as unhealthy lifestyles.
“Our findings have implications for reducing the higher risk of cardiovascular disease that is seen in those with depression and also potentially reducing the risk of developing depression in young people. The study highlights the need for holistic management of young adults in terms of their mental and physical health, including health behaviours.”