Sitting for more than eight hours a day may increase the risk of dementia by almost a third, according to a new study.
Researchers from York University analyzed data from millions of adults over the age of 35 to understand how physical activity, time spent sitting, and sleep affect brain health.
They reviewed 69 previous studies that followed mentally healthy people over a long period of time to see who later developed dementia.
The results, published in PLOS One, showed that people who sit for more than eight hours a day – a time comparable to a typical workday – are 27% more likely to develop dementia.
However, researchers emphasize that there are ways to reduce this risk. Regular physical activity and adequate sleep play a protective role.
According to the study:
People who exercise regularly have an average of 25% lower risk of dementia
Sleeping less than 7 hours a night increases risk by 18%
Sleeping more than 8 hours increases the risk by 28%
Lead author of the study, Akinkunle Oye-Somefun, stressed that exercise and good sleep not only affect daily well-being, but can also protect the brain decades later. He added that prolonged sitting, even in people who are physically active, can increase the risk of dementia.
Globally, around 55 million people are living with dementia and this number is expected to rise significantly in the future. In the UK alone, around 982,000 people are affected, and by 2040 this number could reach 1.4 million.
Global costs are expected to reach £1.6 trillion by 2030, and due to the lack of effective treatments, lifestyle changes are becoming increasingly important.
Other studies, including those supported by Alzheimer's Research UK, suggest that up to 45% of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing factors such as lack of physical activity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and social isolation.
Experts point out that dementia develops over decades and is closely linked to daily habits. Different factors have an impact at different stages of life – for example, dealing with hearing problems in middle age and maintaining social connections in older age.
Simple steps that can help include: moving more frequently during the day, avoiding prolonged sitting, engaging in mental activities, and maintaining social contacts. /GazetaExpress/
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