Physical Activity May Help Lower Genetic Risk of Depression in Adults

Associations and interactions between genetic vulnerability and physical activity with MDD in the All of Us Research Program

Both genetic liability and physical activity (PA) are well-established contributors to major depressive disorder (MDD), yet large-scale studies integrating device-assessed PA with genomic risk remain limited, and prior gene–environment research has focused almost exclusively on MDD onset rather than symptom severity. We analyzed 23,517 participants from the All of Us Research Program (mean age, ~56 years; range, 18–92 years; 67.2% female) with w…

Physical activity may help lower genetic risk of depression in adults

Adding physical activity to a daily routine may seem like a simple step for better health, but research from Kansas State University suggests it could be especially beneficial for individuals with a genetic predisposition to depression, potentially helping reduce their risk and ease their symptom burden.

Daily Exercise Weakens the Grip of Genetic Risk for Depression

Can daily movement offset your DNA? A nationwide study of NIH All of Us data published in Nature Mental Health reveals that higher daily steps and moderate-to-vigorous exercise significantly reduce depression severity in people with high genetic risk.