Warding Off Dementia
A new study suggests that putting down the TV remote and picking up a book to read may help people over 60 prevent dementia. How older adults spend their free time has a profound impact on their long-term brain health, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of South Australia (UniSA).
The UniSA investigators discovered that some sedentary activities are more beneficial for cognitive function than others. Engaging in activities such as reading, listening to music, praying, crafting, painting, playing an instrument, and even talking to others enhances memory and thinking skills. However, the research team noted that playing video games, watching TV, and other more passive activities do not offer the same benefits.
The study’s findings, published in The Journal of Gerontology Series A, were determined after investigators evaluated the 24-hour activity patterns of 397 adults aged 60 and older.
Dr. Maddison Mellow, a researcher at UniSA, said that not all sedentary behaviors are equal in supporting memory and thinking ability.
“In this research, we found that the context of an activity alters how it relates to cognitive function, with different activities providing varying levels of cognitive stimulation and social engagement,” Dr. Mellow said in a statement.
The research team suggested that there is probably a hierarchy regarding how sedentary behaviors relate to cognitive function, with some producing positive effects while others have negative effects. According to the investigators, these present “valuable insights” that could help reduce the risks of cognitive impairment, especially since 45 percent of dementia cases could be prevented through modifiable lifestyle factors.
Dementia is an umbrella term that describes a number of conditions that cause a decline in mental ability that interferes with daily life. Symptoms of the progressive disease start mild but become severe over time. According to researchers at Columbia University, almost 10 percent of adults in the United States ages 65 and older are living with dementia, while another 22 percent have mild cognitive impairment.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An estimated 6.7 million older adults in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease, and the number is expected to double by 2060, the CDC reports.
In Australia, where the research was conducted, researchers say about 411,100 people (or one in every 1,000 people) are living with dementia. Additionally, more than 55 million people around the world have dementia, according to estimates from the World Health Organization. Another 10 million new cases are diagnosed each year.
Ways to Improve Cognitive Health
A number of previously published studies have found that regular physical activity can significantly lower the risk of developing dementia.
Dr. Mellow said scientists “already know that physical activity is a strong protector against dementia risk, and this should be prioritized if you’re trying to improve your brain. But until now, we hadn’t directly explored whether we can benefit our brain health by swapping one sedentary activity for another.”
According to Dr. Mellow, one of the study’s key takeaways is that adults should engage in activities that promote mental stimulation and social interaction, as these activities support cognitive function.
The “move more, sit less” message “holds true for cardiometabolic and brain health,” Dr. Mellow continued, but “our research shows that a more nuanced approach is needed when it comes to thinking about the link between sedentary behaviors and cognitive function.” It’s wise to “prioritize movement that’s enjoyable and gets the heart rate up,” she said, and “even small five-minute time swaps can help.”
For those who like to watch movie marathons, Dr. Mellow suggests breaking up that time with some physical activity or a more cognitively engaged seated activity, like reading. In that way, “you can slowly build up healthier habits,” she said.
Risk Factors That Can Lead To Dementia
Fox News Digital previously reported another recent study that found significant predictors around age 60 that could lead to cognitive impairment and dementia by age 80. The authors of this report, published by the RAND Corporation in California, wanted to identify the predictors of dementia and cognitive impairment for people in the United States up to 20 years before the onset of dementia.
Researchers evaluated 181 potential risk factors, including demographics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle and health behaviors, health history, and psycho-social factors. Among the predictors identified by researchers included:
- Having poor physical health
- A stroke
- Lower cognitive abilities
- Genes
- Functional limitations
- Not having a private health insurance plan at age 60
- Never having worked or having worked only a few years
- Having diabetes or a body mass index of 35 or more
- Never drinking alcohol or drinking excessively
- Never exercising
- Scoring low on various physical tests (such as breathing, grip strength, walking speed, and balance)
- Being less conscientious
- Having low engagement in hobbies
The report stated that older individuals wanting to maintain high cognitive function for a longer time might benefit from lifestyle modifications, such as:
- Physical exercise on a regular basis
- Working additional years
- Engaging in hobbies and novel information activities after retirement
- Maintaining good physical health
The study results suggested that “maintaining good physical and mental health is beneficial not just to staying in shape, but also to staying sharp and delaying cognitive decline,” Peter Hudomiet, the study’s co-author and a RAND economist in California, told Fox News Digital.
Source Links:
https://www.foxnews.com/health/warding-off-dementia-reading-praying-listening-music-study
https://unisa.edu.au/media-centre/Releases/2024/ditch-tv-and-read-a-book/
https://www.cdc.gov/alzheimers-dementia/about/index.html
https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/one-10-older-americans-has-dementia
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA3200/RRA3207-1/RAND_RRA3207-1.pdf
