Early Onset of Depression in Men Could Lead to Less Active Lives
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Jupiterimages/Thinkstock(MONTREAL) — A Canadian study finds that men who are depressed at a young age are at greater risk than women of becoming sedentary as they get older.
Dr. Nancy Low of McGill University Department of Psychiatry in Montreal conducted a survey of 760 adults who suffered symptoms of depression when they were 20. Asked at age 24 how much time they spent in front of the TV or computer, men wound up spending four more hours than women and a total of about 21 hours a week on the computer and/or watching TV.
Low said the results were disturbing on a number of levels. One had to do with the health hazards of living a sedentary lifestyle. Another fear is that since the survey didn’t ask about cellphone or tablet use, it’s possible these people who have problems with depression might be far less active than the study shows.
It’s also believed that women try to do something about their depression by being more socially active while on the computer as opposed to men who avoid their problems by playing games or reading the news.
Low says the next step is early intervention by investigating “how that online time, and things like mobile apps, can best be used to help young people deal with their depression and become more physically active.”
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