A four-year cohort study involving 65,454 Dutch adults identified a significant link between reduced TV-watching and lower incidents of major depression (MDD). By reallocating just 60 minutes of TV time to activities like sports or sleep, middle-aged adults saw up to a 43% reduction in predicted MDD probability, while older adults benefitted mostly from reallocating time to sports. The research utilized compositional isotemporal substitution analysis to study this phenomenon, emphasizing practical behavioral modifications to address depression risk.

Source: European Psychiatry