The relationship between physical activity and clinically defined depression

According to the NHS Health and Advisory Service (1995), one in seven adults in the UK will suffer some form of psychiatric morbidity and the prevalence of mental health problems among children is estimated at up to 20% with 7-10 % having moderate to severe problems which prevent normal functioning (Kurtz, 1992). Depression is one of the most common psychiatric problems. An estimated 20% of consultees in primary care report symptoms of depression (Paykel & Priest, 1992). In terms of workplace incidence of depression it has been suggested, by analysing American employee health insurance data, that depression is the most common complaint with a higher prevalence in women than men (Anspaugh, Hunter & Dignan, 1996). It has been estimated that clinically defined depression affects 5-10% of the population of most developed countries (Weismann & Klerman, 1992). Taken together this evidence suggests a large and expensive burden in healthcare resources in the treatment of depression.