Objective:

To examine the associations between clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors, physical activity (PA), digital exclusion, and trajectories of depressive symptoms in adults aged 50 and above, highlighting the significance of these factors in mental health.

Key Findings:

• Clusters of cardiometabolic risk factors were associated with varying trajectories of depressive symptoms, suggesting targeted interventions may be necessary.
• Insufficient physical activity and digital exclusion were linked to increased depressive symptoms, indicating areas for public health focus.
• The interaction between cardiometabolic risk factors, PA, and digital exclusion significantly influenced depressive symptom trajectories, underscoring the complexity of these relationships.

Interpretation:

The study highlights the complex interplay between cardiometabolic risk factors, physical activity, and digital inclusion in influencing mental health outcomes, particularly depressive symptoms in older adults, suggesting that targeted interventions could improve mental health.

Limitations:

• Potential biases due to self-reported data on depressive symptoms and physical activity, which may affect the reliability of findings.
• Limited generalizability due to the specific populations studied in the UK and USA, which may not represent other demographics.

Conclusion:

Addressing cardiometabolic risk factors, enhancing physical activity, and improving digital inclusion may be crucial in mitigating depressive symptoms among older adults, emphasizing the need for integrated public health strategies.