Associations between TV viewing and depressive symptoms among 60,202 Brazilian adults: The Brazilian national health survey

Background: Our aim was to examine associations between depression and time spent in TV viewing in a representative sample of Brazilian adults. Methods: Data from the Brazilian National Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde – PNS in Portuguese) (n =60,202; ≥18 years) were used. Time spent TV viewing (h/day) was elicited via interview. Depression was evaluated through the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Chronological age, educational status, employment status, alcohol use, tobacco smoking and body mass index were covariates. Descriptive statistics (mean and 95% confidence interval) and adjusted logistic regression models were applied. Results: Five or more hours as well as less than 1 h of TV viewing was associated with increased depression (men: <1 h OR = 1.89, 95%CI = 1.40–2.54; ≥5 h OR = 2.69, 95%CI = 1.88–3.83; women: <1 h OR = 1.50, 95%CI = 1.25–1.81; ≥5 h OR = 1.65, 95%CI = 1.35–2.03) when compared to 2–2.99 h of TV viewing. Conclusion: More than 5 h/day seems to be associated with a higher risk for depression among Brazilian adults (except for older adults). Less than 1 h TV viewing might be a measure-of-proxy for a lower socio-economic status, which is a known risk factor for depression.