Combined Association of Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Chilean Adults

Cardiometabolic risk factors such as obesity, raised blood pressure, high blood glucose and dyslipidemia are emerging health concerns worldwide. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the combined association between physical activity and depressive symptoms with cardiometabolic risk factors in Chilean adults. Data was obtained from the National Health Survey of Chile 2016–2017, with a sample of 5995 adult participants. Assessment of Physical activity and depressive symptoms were done using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and the CIDI ShortForm (CIDI-SF), respectively. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to estimate the combined association of physical activity and depressive symptoms with cardiometabolic risk factors. Participants in the category ≥ 150 min/Depressive symptoms had the highest prevalence of overweight (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.17–2.05), obesity (OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.49–2.59) and high waist circumference (OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.39–1.92). Participants in the < 150 min/No depressive symptoms category had a lower prevalence of overweight/obesity (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.60–0.78) and a 25% reduced high triglycerides prevalence, in comparison with the active category with no depressive symptoms. There is a positive association between depressive symptoms and overweight, obesity and waist circumference among subjects that complete physical activity recommendations but have depressive symptoms. © The Author(s) 2024.