Keeping Ahead of Dementia: Health and Sedentary Habits

Let’s face it, folks, our chairs might be our new frenemies! A just-out JAMA study has given us the heads-up that our love for long seated hours imperils our cognitive health, cranking up our dementia risk. And the bad news? Your gym habit alone isn’t gonna rescue you out of this pickle. So, no excuses now, let’s dive into this health conundrum!

The Health Risk of Being a Sitter

You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand that too much sitting isn’t great for your health. But did you know it’s like inviting diseases like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes over for a long-term stay? Indeed, having a front-row seat to the TV, your beloved computer, or during your commuting hours is seriously bad news. This recent study went to the brainy length of giving our noggin a check-over too, investigating sitting’s influence on dementia risks. Who said sitting all day wasn’t eventful?

You Can’t Run (or Sit) from the Health Facts

Now, don’t let me burst your bubble, but this isn’t one of those studies where people just estimated how much they sit. Using the UK Biobank data and some brainy activity trackers, researchers got down to brass tacks. Through AI algorithms, each sedentary minute was measured. Guess what they found? Go ahead, have a wild guess. People slouching around for 10 hours a day saw an 8% higher chance of developing dementia within seven years. Those who were chair-crazy for 12 hours had a whopping 63% increased risk. Thought you could watch an entire series guilt-free? Think again!

When Exercise Doesn’t Make the Health Cut

Exercising doesn’t give free reins to the sedentary life, folks. Our dear researchers threw us this unexpected curveball: if you exercise but then you spend the rest of your day lounging about, your risk of dementia is pretty much the same as those who skip their workouts. Bet you didn’t see that one coming!

It’s High Time, Break Time! (Or Not?)

Alright folks, if you assume little walk breaks can save the day, I’m afraid I have to rain on your parade once again. After adjusting for a whole lot of other factors, the study still found no significant improvement among those who took brief breaks, or those who did a little walking routine but still had 10 hours or more of sitting. It always comes down to how many hours you spend welcoming your chair’s embrace!

Brain Health In a Nutshell

If you’re thinking about the gains of your standing desk or the potential benefits of standing more, hold your horses. It’s yet unclear whether standing could whittle down the brain risks associated with sitting. But the study broadly agrees that sitting less overall is an effective way to combat dementia risks. So, get creative about how you can get moving during your workday: walk around your office, schedule walking meetings, or take lunch pickups instead of having it delivered.

A little fun fact before we part: The study suggested that over-sitting’s damage can be undone. So, folks! Move more, Zoom less, and keep those dementia risks at bay. And remember, in fitness and in health, every little bit helps!

Key Findings: Quick Recap

• Extensive sitting increases the risk of developing dementia, irrespective of age.
• Even for those who exercise, the impact of prolonged sitting remains significant.
• An active lifestyle that incorporates less sitting and more movement could significantly lower dementia risks.
• Introducing small activity breaks or walks during long spells of sitting does little to mitigate the risks.
• The negative effects of prolonged sitting on brain health can potentially be reversed by adopting a less sedentary, more active lifestyle.

Source Citation: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/09/27/sitting-sedentary-exercise-dementia/