Health behaviors differentially associated with depression and hypertension in U.S. adults

Background: Unhealthy lifestyles can result in health problems such as depression and hypertension. The aim of this study is to investigate whether four modifiable and important health behaviors (smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, and diet) are associated with ensuing depression and hypertension. Methods: Data from 1398 American adults (ages ≥ 20 years) participating in a cross-sectional study---the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018 were evaluated. A set of weighted multiple logistic regression models was used to address the proposed aim. Results: Our analysis showed that the overall prevalence of depression and hypertension in U.S. adults were 16.9% and 46.5%, respectively. We found that the two most often reported symptoms of depression are having problems sleeping and having feelings of low levels of energy, with rates of 14.6% and 15.2%, respectively. We also found that participants who engaged in light physical activity had greater likelihoods of experiencing depression and hypertension than those who engaged in vigorous physical activity, with odds ratios of 2.0 (95% CI: 1.2, 3.3) and 1.7 (95% CI: 1.2, 2.4), respectively. Finally, individuals with poor diets were more likely to experience depression than those eating good diets, with an odds ratio of 1.6 (95% CI: 1.2, 2.1). Conclusion: Physical activity, a common marker of overall health, is inversely and statistically associated with both depression and hypertension. Smoking status is significantly associated with hypertension rather than depression. Diet is directly and statistically associated with depression, but not with hypertension, according to this current study.