A recent study found that increasing the number of steps per day can reduce the symptoms – as well as the risk – of depression.
The study, conducted by Bruno Bizzozero-Peroni, Valentina Díaz-Goñi and Estela Jiménez-López, was published Dec. 16 in JAMA Network Open — a medical journal that publishes peer-reviewed research on a variety of health topics. showed that a higher number of steps per day was associated with a lower rate of depression.
This outcome was discovered after researchers reviewed 33 existing studies involving 96,173 adults. Researchers have found that people who walk 5,000 or more steps a day generally feel less depressed than those who walk less than 5,000. Moreover, people who walk 7,000 or more steps a day tend to have a lower risk of becoming depressed over time.
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“Our results showed a significant association between a higher number of daily steps and fewer depressive symptoms, as well as a lower prevalence and risk of depression in the general adult population,” the study authors wrote. They added that these findings “suggest that an inclusive, comprehensive public health approach could contribute to the prevention of depression in adults.”
These findings are also significant because they suggest that people would need fewer steps per day than previously believed to reap significant benefits. “Usually we hear that it’s good to take 10,000 steps a day, but here it seems that even 7,000 steps means better mental health,” Dr. Karmel Choi, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School (unaffiliated with the study), told CNN.
Choi also told the outlet that while step count is important, it doesn’t have to be the only metric we use to measure beneficial movement.
A group of women walking (photo).
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“Step counting is a good proxy for physical activity, which has consistently been shown to have a beneficial effect on depression risk,” she said, adding, “However, we should remember that step counting best captures certain types of movement, such as walking or running, and may be less suitable for recording activities like yoga.”
“Choose the metric that motivates you the most,” she continued. “Whether it’s steps or hours, the mental health literature consistently suggests that moving to some extent is better than not moving at all.”
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Choi was also careful to note that correlation does not necessarily mean causation: 5,000 steps a day may not actually affect depression, and people with depression may just move less, which could also explain the observed results of the JAMA study.
This research comes at a time when an increasing number of Americans are reporting symptoms of depression. A 2023 Gallup survey found that rates of self-reported depression increased by 10% between 2015 and 2023. The study also found that one in six Americans are currently receiving treatment for depression. These were record numbers for the Gallup survey.
If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the text crisis line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education