To investigate the impact of physical activity and depressive symptoms on cognitive impairment among middle-aged and elderly people in China.

A total of 5 353 middle-aged and elderly people were selected from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.Relevant data were collected from three modules,namely basic information,health status,and cognitive function and depression.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the effects of physical activity and depressive symptoms on cognitive impairment.

Both physical activity and depressive symptoms were influencing factors for cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly people(both P<0.001).Compared with the group with no depressive symptoms and high physical activity,the risk of cognitive impairment was significantly increased in the groups with depressive symptoms and high physical activity,no depressive symptoms and low-to-moderate physical activity,and depressive symptoms and low-to-moderate physical activity(all P<0.001).

Physical activity,depressive symptoms,and their joint effect among middle-aged and elderly people were associated with the risk of cognitive impairment.Greater attention should be paid to the mental health of middle-aged and elderly people.Efforts should be made to promote higher levels of physical activity among this population to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment.