Young men who reported depressive symptoms at age 20, four years later reported spending more time on computers or watching television, according to research at McGill University. The same was not true for women.
Sedentary behaviour is associated with adverse health outcomes like diabetes and heart attacks. So health officials are eager to find out how to prevent sedentary behaviour. The study provides some clues, says one of its authors.
“It (the study) means that in men who have high depressive symptoms, they’re at risk to be more sedentary in the future,” says Nancy Low, assistant professor in psychiatry at McGill University. “And so, one of the main points is to try to either reduce the depressive symptoms by getting treatment or seeking some kind of counselling for that or just using your own means to reduce the depressive symptoms that you might have.” Low thinks this could lead to less time spent on the computer or avoiding issues the young men may have.
Future studies will look at how men and women are using their computers. Low suspects men may be more avoidant and not seek solutions for their depression whereas women may use them to seek out solutions and social support.
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