Does Physical Activity Promote Health Equity?——Effect of the Physical Activity on the Residents’ Depression in China

Mental disorders such as depression are a serious global public health problem. Based on the data of China Labor-force Dynamics Survey in 2016,the article examines the effect of physical activity(PA) on the depression among urban and rural residents in China. The results show:1)regular physical exercise reduces the depression risk;2)PA promotes mental health equity.PA has significant effect on the residents with low-middle education,low living condition,and low and medium status,and has no significant effect on the depression risk among residents with high education level,high living condition and high social status.Only 23.6% of residents in China participate in PA regularly,and the group with low socioeconomic status is even lower.Therefore,it is necessary to encourage the residents actively participate in PA by strengthening the community environment,which will promote mental health equity in China.