Sedentary Lifestyle Might Drive Dementia Risk

30 seconds

Recent research by USC and University of Arizona researchers suggests that adults ages 60 and older who engage in prolonged sedentary behaviors, such as sitting for extended periods while watching TV or driving, may face an increased risk of developing dementia. The research, based on data from the U.K. Biobank, involved over 100,000 adults and used fitness trackers to objectively measure sedentary time. After approximately six years of follow-up, the study identified 414 cases of dementia and adjusted for various factors that could affect brain health.

The results suggest that total daily sedentary time is the key factor influencing dementia risk, with risk increasing significantly after 10 hours of sedentary behavior — even if this sedentary time is spread throughout the day. This finding challenges the notion that breaking up sedentary periods with short bouts of activity mitigates the risk. While more research is needed to establish causality and explore the role of physical activity in reducing dementia risk, this study emphasizes the importance of reducing prolonged periods of sitting for older adults.

Source
jamanetwork/journals/jama/article-abstract/2809418

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