A new study reveals that spending more than 10 hours a day in front of the television, at a desk, or behind the wheel significantly increases the risk of dementia. Researchers found that the likelihood of developing the disease sharply rises among adults who lead a predominantly sedentary lifestyle throughout the day.
Over 10 Hours of Sitting – Higher Risk of Dementia
The team analyzed data from over 50,000 British adults aged 60 and older. Participants wore wrist devices 24 hours a day for a week, which tracked their activity levels and could distinguish between sitting and sleeping positions.
Sitting was classified as activities such as watching television, driving, playing video games, using a computer, sitting in transport during commutes, or working at a desk. Participants were monitored for about six years, during which 414 of them were diagnosed with dementia.
Meanwhile, participants whose sedentary lifestyle reached 12 hours a day had a 63% higher chance of receiving this diagnosis. Those who spent 15 hours sitting each day had three times the risk of developing the disease.
Breaks Don’t Matter After 10 Hours of Sitting
As noted by study author Jean Alexander in the Daily Mail, her team was surprised to find that the risk of dementia begins to rise sharply after 10 hours of daily sedentary behavior, regardless of how that sitting time accumulates. This suggests that the total time spent sitting is what determines the link between sedentary behavior and the risk of this age-related disease.
Importantly, lower levels of sedentary time, roughly up to 10 hours, were not associated with an increased risk. The study also examined how sedentary behavior accumulates throughout the day. For instance, prolonged sitting followed by activity or sitting interspersed with standing showed a similar connection to dementia.
Dementia – A Global Challenge of Our Time
It’s important to note that dementia is a term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders that affect the brain and impact memory, thinking, and behavior. Each person experiences this disease differently, and the risk of developing it increases significantly with age.
Dementia raises global concern as the number of individuals affected by it continues to rise each year. Currently, there is no cure for this disease, and potential innovative treatments may only slow its progression. Therefore, lifestyle changes and habits that contribute to an increased risk of developing dementia remain the primary recommendations from doctors for preventing this age-related condition.