Sitting time, but not level of physical activity, is associated with depression in methadone-maintained smokers

ProblemSedentary behavior has been linked to many physical and mental health disorders including heightened risk for depression. Methadone-maintained individuals are at increased risk for depression and have been shown to be physically active at lower rates than the general population.MethodWe assessed the relationship between sitting time, physical activity, and depression in a group of 315 methadone-maintained smokers.ResultsMean participant age was 39.9 years of age, 49.5% were male, and 79.4% were non-Hispanic White. The mean time reported sitting each day was 320.4 min and the mean CES-D depression score was 12.0. After controlling for background characteristics, physical function, and physical activity, depression was significantly and positively related to sitting time.ConclusionInterventions to decrease time spent sitting and increase physical activity could have important benefits for the mental health of methadone-maintained individuals. This population is often underserved and suffers disproportionately from limited physical and mental health functioning, making them an ideal population for low-cost interventions to reduce sitting time and/or increase physical activity to improve well-being.Trial registered at clinicaltrials.gov; Clinical Trial # NCT00790569.

► Cross-sectional sample of 315 methadone-maintained cigarette smokers.
► Assessed the relationship between sitting time, physical activity, and depression.
► Controlling for physical function and activity level, depression was significantly related to sitting time.
► Research on physical activity interventions to reduce sitting time in methadone patients is warranted.