Research
Adherence
Living in the Sardinian Blue Zone (SBZ) socio-cultural context, combined with higher perceived physical health and time spent gardening, predicts lower depressive symptoms in older adults.
For seniors, engaging in gardening and maintaining good physical health are linked to lower depression. Living in a community that values autonomy and tradition (like the Blue Zone) may also support mental well-being.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Approximately 17% of the variance in the CES-D condition was predicted by socio-cultural context, perceived physical health, and gardening.
Why this rating
Observational study with good sample size and statistical controls, but cross-sectional design limits causal claims.
Source
Is the Sardinian Blue Zone the New Shangri-La for mental health? Evidence on depressive symptoms and its correlates in late adult life span
Marilena Ruiu et al. · Aging Clinical and Experimental Research · 2022
DOI 10.1007/s40520-021-02068-7
cross_sectional · n=318Cited 15×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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