An important risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease that has emerged in recent years is reduced cerebral blood flow. This decrease is associated with the higher the body mass index, the slower the blood flow in the brain. Experts warn that individuals who lead inactive lifestyles may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Here’s what you need to know about factors that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease…
Researchers in the US have found that the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia is significantly increased among adults who lead a sedentary lifestyle. A team from the University of Southern California and the University of Arizona examined data from more than 50,000 British adults aged 60 and over.
What are the contributing factors to Alzheimer’s disease?
Participants monitored their activities 24 hours a day for a week using devices worn on their wrists. These devices could constantly monitor people’s activity levels and distinguish between sitting and sleeping.
Sedentary behaviors included common examples such as watching television, driving, playing video games, using a computer, sitting for work, or sitting at a desk at work. Participants were followed for approximately 6 years, during which time 414 people were diagnosed with dementia.
What are the factors that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s?
Analyzes showed that sitting for more than 10 hours a day increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Compared to those who spent nearly 9 hours a day sitting, those who spent 10 hours a day sedentary were 8 percent more likely to develop dementia.
In addition, it was found that those who sat for more than 12 hours a day were 63 percent more likely to be diagnosed with dementia, while this risk was 3 times higher in those who were sedentary for more than 15 hours a day.
Does inactivity cause Alzheimer’s?
Professor Gene Alexander, who participated in the research, stated the following:
“We were surprised to find that the risk of dementia increased rapidly after being sedentary for more than 10 hours each day, regardless of how sedentary time was accumulated. “This clearly shows the relationship between dementia risk and total time spent sedentary.”
