Sitting for most of the day is detrimental to our physical health, as researchers have been warning. However, a new study published in JAMA suggests that excessive sitting may also have a negative impact on our brain health. The study found that individuals aged 60 and older who sat for 12 hours or more daily had a 63% higher risk of developing dementia, according to the Washington Post. Even those who reduced their sitting time to 10 hours still had an 8% increased risk compared to individuals who spent less time sitting. The research was conducted using data from approximately 50,000 participants in the UK Biobank who were 60 years or older and did not have dementia at the beginning of the study, as reported by Medical News Today. The participants wore “accelerometers” that allowed researchers to track their movement over several years.
David Raichlen of the University of Southern California, who led the study, highlights the serious consequences of excessive sedentary behavior: “Sitting in the office all day, then in front of the TV and in the car and all the other ways we find to sit, it adds up… These extreme levels of sedentary behavior are where we see a much higher risk” for dementia. Carolyn Fredericks of the Yale School of Medicine adds that although previous studies have suggested a link between dementia and sedentary behavior, the current study is one of the largest and most significant in confirming this connection.
The study also found that individuals who exercise when they are not sitting are still at risk. Therefore, the recommendation is to “Sit less, move more,” according to Raichlen. This advice applies even to individuals who have sedentary jobs. One way to achieve this is by incorporating activities such as “walking meetings” into the workday to reduce sitting time. However, if individuals still end up sitting for 10 or more hours regardless of taking breaks, the benefits of movement may be diminished. Additionally, it is unclear whether standing desks have an impact, as it is challenging for researchers to distinguish between individuals who are sitting still and those who are standing still. (Read more dementia stories.)
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