Reading, doing puzzles while sitting may help offset dementia risk

• Previous research has shown that making certain unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as living a sedentary lifestyle, may increase a person’s risk for dementia.
• A new study has found that mentally active sedentary behaviors may help lower a person’s dementia risk.
• Among these mentally active behaviors were habits such as reading a book, solving a crossword puzzle, or learning a new skill.

According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, in 2020, more than 55 million people globally were living with dementia — a group of cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, that negatively impact a person’s memory and thinking skills.

Previous research has shown that making certain unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as living a sedentary lifestyle, may increase a person’s risk for dementia.

Now, a new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine says that not all sedentary activities are the same, and mentally active sedentary behaviors — such as reading a book, solving a crossword puzzle, or participating in a school classroom — may actually help reduce a person’s dementia risk.