Replacing passive sitting activities such as watching TV with more mentally engaging ones like reading or knitting could reduce the risk of dementia onset in later life, new research reveals.
The findings could potentially inform public health guidelines and preventive strategies to reduce dementia, co-author Professor David Dunstan, head of the Baker-Deakin Department of Lifestyle and Diabetes, said in a statement released recently by Australia’s Deakin University.
The study found that mentally active sedentary behaviours, including reading, office work or knitting, appeared protective, while mentally passive sedentary behaviours, such as watching TV, listening to music or sitting in the bathtub, may increase the risk of dementia.
Mentally stimulating activity each day
“While sitting is always physically inactive, we can still be exercising our brains, which can offset some of the damage sitting causes,” Dunstan said.
Researchers analysed data from 20,811 adults in Sweden aged 35 to 64 who were followed for 19 years. The baseline survey collected information on sedentary behaviours, physical activity and other dementia-related behaviours, while national patient and death registers were used to identify dementia cases.
The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, also found there was no need to completely avoid sedentary activities such as watching TV, provided that a person engages in an equal amount of mentally stimulating activity each day.
- Replacing passive sedentary activities like watching TV with mentally engaging ones such as reading or knitting may reduce dementia risk.
- Mentally active sedentary behaviors are protective, whereas passive ones like watching TV or listening to music may increase dementia risk.
- Sitting is physically inactive, but engaging the brain during sedentary time can offset some negative effects.
- The study analyzed 20,811 Swedish adults over 19 years, linking sedentary behaviors to dementia incidences.
- Findings suggest balancing passive activities with equal mentally stimulating ones can mitigate dementia risk.
"While sitting is always physically inactive, we can still be exercising our brains, which can offset some of the damage sitting causes," Dunstan said.
Researchers analysed data from 20,811 adults in Sweden aged 35 to 64 who were followed for 19 years.
