New research distinguishing between passive and mentally active sitting in association with dementia has found that adults who engaged in extended durations of mentally passive sedentary behaviours – like watching television or scrolling through the phone – had a higher risk of dementia.
Replacing passive with mentally active sedentary behaviours – like knitting or crosswords – was shown to reduce the risk of dementia onset in later life. The study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, has the potential to inform public health guidelines and preventive strategies to reduce dementia.
Dementia is the third highest cause of mortality and the seventh largest cause of disability among older adults globally. It is a prevalent age-related condition affecting many adults’ quality of life, including their families and carers. Prevention is important, and a key part of this involves identifying modifiable risk factors.
It was previously thought that all sedentary behaviours were associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. However, in recent studies, researchers found that mentally passive sedentary behaviours (such as watching TV) increased the risk of depression, while mentally active sedentary behaviours (such as reading and office work) appeared to be protective.
Most adults spend about 9-10 hours per day sitting. Previous research has shown that extended, uninterrupted sitting is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and depression. It has also been associated with dementia. This is the first study to distinguish between passive and mentally active sitting in association with dementia.
Lead investigator Mats Hallgren, PhD, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Sweden, and Baker-Deakin Department of Lifestyle and Diabetes, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University, Australia, notes, “While all sitting involves minimal energy expenditure, it may be differentiated by the level of brain activity. How we use our brains while we are sitting appears to be a crucial determinant of future cognitive functioning and, as we have shown, may predict dementia onset.”
How you can practise active sitting today
Reading challenging material
Not just light scrolling, but reading books, essays, or long-form journalism that require concentration, comprehension, and reflection.
Writing or journaling
Composing ideas, reflecting on your day, or drafting stories activates memory, language, and emotional processing. Why not pen a short story and submit it to the MiNDFOOD short story competition?
Doing puzzles
Crosswords, Sudoku, logic puzzles, and brainteasers stimulate pattern recognition, reasoning, and working memory. See the extensive puzzle section in MiNDFOOD magazine.
Learning a language
Practising vocabulary, grammar exercises, or conversation drills while seated engages multiple cognitive systems.
Strategic board games
Games like chess, checkers, or strategy card games require planning, foresight, and decision-making.
Creative drawing or sketching
Designing, doodling, or illustrating involves visual processing, imagination, and fine motor planning.
Planning and organising
Creating schedules, mapping goals, budgeting, or planning a trip uses executive function and problem-solving.
Meditation with focus techniques
Practices like mindfulness, breath counting, or body scanning demand sustained attention and mental discipline.
Learning a new skill online
Following tutorials for coding, photography, music theory, or crafts requires comprehension and application.
