Researchers at York University in Canada analyzed data from millions of adults over 35 years old to find out how physical activity, sitting time, and sleep affect brain health. They reviewed 69 previous studies that observed healthy people to determine who developed dementia.
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The study, published in the open-access journal PLOS One, showed that people who spent more than eight hours sitting – similar to a typical workday – were 27% more likely to develop dementia. However, they noted that there are ways to protect against this debilitating degenerative disease, as both regular exercise and the “right amount” of good sleep reduce the risk, according to the Daily Mail.
It was found that the risk of developing dementia was on average 25% lower in people who exercised regularly. Sleeping less than seven hours per day increased the risk by 18%, while sleeping more than eight hours increased it by 28%. The lead author of the study, Akinkunle Oye-Somefun, said: “Regular physical activity and quality sleep are important not only for our daily well-being – they can also help protect the brain after many decades.”
“We also found that prolonged sitting – even for physically active people – can increase the risk of dementia. This is an area where more research is needed,” he said.
It is estimated that 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, and this number is expected to rise. In the United Kingdom, about 982,000 people have the disease, and by 2040 this number could reach 1.4 million.
It is forecast that by 2030 global costs will reach £1.6 trillion, and since treatment options are currently limited, lifestyle changes are becoming increasingly important. Research, including work supported by Alzheimer’s Research UK, shows that up to 45 percent of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing lifestyle and health factors such as physical inactivity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and social isolation.
“Dementia develops over decades,” said A. Oye-Somefun. “Daily behaviors such as exercise, sitting time, and sleep may be linked to dementia risk. Understanding these relationships could help maintain brain health throughout life.”
He added: “Some risk factors are more important at different stages of life. For example, managing hearing loss from midlife and maintaining social connections later on can make a real difference.” Simple steps people can take include walking more, limiting prolonged sitting, staying mentally active, and maintaining social connections.
