Co-occurrence of health risk behaviors and depression in the Brazilian population: analysis of a population-based survey (Vigitel, 2023).
To analyze the association between the co-occurrence of health risk behaviors and the presence of depression in Brazilians.
This was a cross-sectional study using data from the 2023 population-based telephone survey Vigitel. Depression was assessed by self-reported medical diagnosis. The co-occurrence of health risk behaviors was measured based on the sum of five behaviors: consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF), physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, smoking, and binge drinking. This variable was subsequently categorized as "none," "one," "two," or "three or more" behaviors. Descriptive analyses, Pearson's χ2 test, and univariate and multiple logistic regression adjusted for sex, age, marital status, and level of education were carried out.
A total of 21,690 individuals participated in the survey, of whom 12.3% had depression, and approximately 79.8% reported at least one health risk behavior. Consumption of UPF (OR 1.35; 95%CI 1.08-1.68), physical inactivity (OR 1.29; 95%CI 1.04-1.60), and smoking (OR 1.76; 95%CI 1.36-2.27) were associated with depression. Individuals with two health risk behaviors had 1.36 times higher odds of depression (OR 1.36; 95%CI 1.08-1.73), while those with three or more had twice the odds (OR 2.01; 95%CI 1.49-2.71), compared to those with none.
Individuals with the co-occurrence of two or more health risk behaviors are more likely to have depression. These findings highlight the importance of integrated strategies for mental health promotion and the prevention of unhealthy behaviors in the Brazilian population.
This was a cross-sectional study using data from the 2023 population-based telephone survey Vigitel. Depression was assessed by self-reported medical diagnosis. The co-occurrence of health risk behaviors was measured based on the sum of five behaviors: consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF), physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, smoking, and binge drinking. This variable was subsequently categorized as "none," "one," "two," or "three or more" behaviors. Descriptive analyses, Pearson's χ2 test, and univariate and multiple logistic regression adjusted for sex, age, marital status, and level of education were carried out.
A total of 21,690 individuals participated in the survey, of whom 12.3% had depression, and approximately 79.8% reported at least one health risk behavior. Consumption of UPF (OR 1.35; 95%CI 1.08-1.68), physical inactivity (OR 1.29; 95%CI 1.04-1.60), and smoking (OR 1.76; 95%CI 1.36-2.27) were associated with depression. Individuals with two health risk behaviors had 1.36 times higher odds of depression (OR 1.36; 95%CI 1.08-1.73), while those with three or more had twice the odds (OR 2.01; 95%CI 1.49-2.71), compared to those with none.
Individuals with the co-occurrence of two or more health risk behaviors are more likely to have depression. These findings highlight the importance of integrated strategies for mental health promotion and the prevention of unhealthy behaviors in the Brazilian population.
Authors
Barbosa Barbosa, Fróis Fróis, Vidigal Vidigal, Sabbagh Sabbagh, Souza Souza, Aguiar Aguiar, Machado Machado, Meireles Meireles
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