Engaging in “mentally active” activities versus “mentally passive” ones while sitting or lounging may affect your risk for dementia, according to a recent study.
In a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine last month, researchers evaluated over 20,000 adult participants in Sweden, most of whom were women. Researchers administered a baseline questionnaire to participants in 1997 to assess their mentally passive sedentary behaviours, such as watching TV and listening to music. They also assessed their mentally active sedentary behaviours, such as office work or knitting and sewing. Their light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was also assessed using questionnaires. The participants were evaluated for incident dementia nearly two decades later.
The study found that mentally passive sedentary behaviour ― for example, watching TV ― was associated with a higher incidence of dementia. But adding mentally active sedentary behaviour (needlepointing, anyone?) showed promising outcomes.
Researchers found that each additional...
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