One type of sitting may pose greater dementia risk than another, study suggests
AOL.com • • health
Key Points:
- New research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine suggests that the type of sitting—mentally active versus passive—may influence dementia risk more than the duration of sitting itself.
- Mentally active sedentary behaviors, such as reading and office work, were linked to a significant reduction in dementia risk compared to passive activities like watching television.
- The Swedish study tracked over 20,000 adults aged 35 to 64 for 19 years, using self-reported sitting habits and health records to analyze dementia diagnoses.
- Lead researcher Dr. Mats Hallgren emphasized that brain engagement during sitting is a crucial factor in cognitive health and dementia prevention.
- The findings highlight the importance of maintaining both physical and mental activity with aging and may inform global public health guidelines to reduce dementia risk.