중년성인의 신체활동과 우울의 관련성

This study is a descriptive survey analysis that secondarily analyzed the relationship between moderate-intensity physical activity and depression among middle-aged adults aged 40 to 64 who participated in the 2022 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 2,160 individuals' data were analyzed. The results showed significant associations between both work-related and leisure-related moderate-intensity physical activities and depression, with high rates of depression observed in individuals who engage in work-related physical activities and those who do not participate in leisure-related physical activities. In models controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and health behavior factors, leisure-related moderate-intensity physical activity showed no significant association with depression, whereas work-related moderate-intensity physical activity remained significantly associated with depression. These findings suggest that the impact of depression can vary depending on the type and context of physical activity. Particularly, middle-aged adults engaged in moderate to vigorous occupational physical activities are at increased risk for depression, indicating the need for policy interventions to promote mental health and support healthy aging in this population. Therefore, this study underscores the need for policy measures to minimize the negative mental health impacts of work-related physical activity, including improvements in working conditions and guaranteed recovery times, as well as the development and implementation of mental health support programs and resource integration. This research can serve as foundational data for developing these interventions.