Walking activity and depressive symptoms amongst Mexican American older adults aged 80 years and older

Physical activity is protective for the development of depressive symptoms in older adults. We examined the relationship between walking activity and depressive symptoms amongst Mexican American older adults without a history of depressive symptoms at baseline over a 9-year period. We hypothesize that those engaging in walking activity are at lower risk of developing depressive symptoms over time than those who do not. Participants (N = 836) were Mexican Americans aged 80 years and older in the Southwestern United States from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (2007/05–2016). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D ≥ 16). Participants were grouped into non-walkers (n = 535), walked <150 min/week (n = 123), and walked ≥150 min/week (n = 178). Generalized Estimating Equation models estimated the odds ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) of depressive symptoms as a function of walking activity status, controlling for all covariates. Participants walking ≥150 min/week had lower odds (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.30–0.93) of developing depressive symptoms over time than non-walkers. Compared to non-walkers, those walking <150 min/week had a non-significant relationship of developing depressive symptoms (OR = 0.81, 095% CI = 0.51–1.31) over time. Mexican American older adults engaged in walking activity have reduced risk of developing depressive symptoms.