Older adults who sit for extended periods during any activity may face a higher risk of developing dementia.
Dementia is characterized by the loss of cognitive functions, including the ability to think, remember, and perform basic everyday tasks. Its severity can interfere significantly with a person's daily life and activities. Some individuals with dementia may struggle to control their emotions, leading to changes in their personalities over time.
According to a recent study, older adults over the age of 60 who engage in prolonged sitting for activities such as watching TV, reading, or using a computer may face an increased risk of developing dementia.
The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The findings indicated that the association between sedentary behavior and dementia risk persisted even among participants who were physically active in their daily lives.
Commenting on the research, author David Raichlen, a professor of biological sciences and anthropology at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, stated, "It isn't the time spent sitting that matters, but the type of sedentary activity performed during leisure time that impacts the risk of dementia."
He continued, "We know from several past studies that watching TV involves lower levels of muscle activity and energy expenditure compared to using a computer or reading. While research has shown that prolonged uninterrupted sitting is linked to reduced blood flow in the brain and body, the relatively greater intellectual stimulation associated with computer use may help counteract the negative effects of sitting."
In a comprehensive analysis, more than 145,000 participants over the age of 60 completed touchscreen questionnaires to self-report their levels of sedentary behavior from 2006 to 2010. After a 12-year follow-up, researchers utilized hospital records to determine dementia diagnoses and identified a total of 3,507 positive cases.
Additionally, study author Gene Alexander, professor of psychology and at the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Arizona, stated, "While we know that physical activity benefits our brain health, many of us believe that being more physically active during the day can offset the negative effects of sitting."
He continued, "Our findings suggest that the brain impacts of leisure sitting are distinct from our level of physical activity. Engaging in more mentally stimulating activities, like using computers, may be a key strategy to help mitigate the increased risk of dementia associated with more passive sedentary behaviors, such as watching TV."
Understanding how sedentary activities affect human health could lead to meaningful improvements. What we do while sitting matters. This knowledge is essential for designing targeted public health interventions aimed at reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases stemming from sedentary activities through positive behavior changes," Raichlen added.