Study ties sedentary lifestyle to dementia risk
Introduction
A study published in JAMA has found that older adults who spend more time being sedentary have a higher risk of developing dementia. The researchers analyzed data from a large cohort of adults aged 60 years and older and found that as sedentary behavior time increased, the incidence of dementia also increased. However, more research is needed to determine if there is a causal relationship between sedentary time and dementia.
Higher incidence of dementia with more sedentary time
The study, which analyzed data from the U.K. Biobank cohort, found that as sedentary behavior time increased, the risk of dementia also increased. The researchers accounted for various factors such as daily sedentary bout length and number of daily sedentary bouts. However, it is important to note that this study does not establish causation and further research is needed to understand the relationship between sedentary time and dementia.
Implications for public health
The findings of this study highlight the importance of reducing sedentary behavior, especially among older adults, to potentially lower the risk of developing dementia. Encouraging individuals to engage in regular physical activity and reducing prolonged periods of sitting could have significant implications for public health. More research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying the association between sedentary behavior and dementia, and to develop effective interventions.
