Posted on 08/22/2022 7:33:16 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Adults aged 60 and older who sit for long periods watching TV or other such passive, sedentary behaviors may be at increased risk of developing dementia.
Their study showed the risk is lower for those who are active while sitting, such as when they read or use computers.
It also revealed that the link between sedentary behavior and dementia risk persisted even among participants who were physically active.
The results remained the same even after the scientists accounted for levels of physical activity. Even in individuals who are highly physically active, time spent watching TV was associated with increased risk of dementia, and leisure time spent using a computer was associated with a reduced risk of developing dementia.
"Although we know that physical activity is good for our brain health, many of us think that if we are just more physically active during the day, we can counter the negative effects of time spent sitting," said study author Gene Alexander, professor of psychology at the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Arizona.
"Our findings suggest that the brain impacts of sitting during our leisure activities are really separate from how physically active we are," said Alexander, "and that being more mentally active, like when using computers, may be a key way to help counter the increased risk of dementia related to more passive sedentary behaviors, like watching TV."
Knowing how sedentary activities impact human health could lead to some improvements.
"What we do while we're sitting matters," Raichlen added. "This knowledge is critical when it comes to designing targeted public health interventions aimed at reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disease from sedentary activities through positive behavior change."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
That’s entirely a content issue. :)
i read Free Republic when i watch tv
does that count?
When I was young, moms everywhere knew this: TV will rot your brain!
I’ll use that the next time my wife rags on me about spending too much time on my puter. 🙂
My Dad plays Call of Duty with his grandkids. He’s not passive..
Hahaha
that’s why i check freepr off and on throughout my TV watching.......
Using my brain!
I used to watch lots of TV. Slowly quit when it seemed like every show was stupid of just full of sexual innuendo. And not subtle/classy like in the past.
Then cable came and the promise of “no commercials cuz you’re paying.”
I was in a public place last week in the evening and they had TV-Land on. Everybody Loves Raymond. I liked that show and can watch the reruns repeatedly and enjoy them. However since I’ve given up on commercial TV I was just ASTOUNDED by the number and duration of the commercial breaks. Totally mind numbing!
FREE REPUBLIC prevents dementia!
Another reason to send a DONATION to JIM ROBINSON!
Computers? Reading?
Yeah, I’m covered.
Did I just read something?
“such as when they read or use computers”
Do any FReepers use computers, think about things, and expound, sound off, and rant and rave while sitting? Nah, I really don’t think so.
Another thread said that sticking a fork into an electrical outlet stimulates the mind, as well. Maybe the sedentary person could do that during the commercial breaks.
When I was young, moms everywhere knew this: TV will rot your brain!
—
The boob tube!
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I know almost no one personally (besides myself) that ever cracks any kind of serious book— and that include e-books and other readers. And if you’re on the computer, but all you watch are YouTube videos (especially a bunch of shallow garbage), to me that’s no better than sitting in front of a TV. All I can think is most people are walking around with their heads stuffed with garbage.
Which one is the cause, and which one is the effect? Sitting and watching TV all the time should induce dementia, but at age 30 it’s probably called something else.
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