Authors: Tal Gafni, Galit Weinstein, Kerem Shuval, Barlow E Carolyn, Kelley Pettee Gabriel, Benjamin L Willis, Leonard David, William L Haskell, Laura F DeFina
Published: 2020-12-07
DOI: 10.1002/alz.041724
Source: Full article
AbstractBackgroundEvidence suggests that prolonged sedentary time (i.e., daily sitting or reclining during waking hours) is independently related to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, which are risk factors for cognitive impairment. In the current study, we examined the independent and joint association of sedentary time and physical activity (PA) on the odds for cognitive impairment among community dwelling mid‐to‐later life adults.MethodThis cross‐sectional study included 3,780 individuals aged ≥55y, who came to the Cooper Clinic (Dallas, Texas) for preventive medicine visits (2010‐2019), and enrolled in the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study. Participants provided detailed information on their sitting habits and PA levels. Cognitive function was assessed through the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The independent and joint relations of reported sitting time (≤25%, 50% and ≥75% of the time) and PA levels (not meeting, meeting and exceeding guidelines) with cognitive impairment (MoCA score<26) was examined using multivariable logistic regression, while adjusting for potential confounders.ResultOf the total analytic sample (mean age 61±6y; 71% men), 22.5% were classified as cognitively impaired. Participants sitting ≥75% of the time had significantly higher odds (OR=1.60; 95% CI 1.19‐2.17) for cognitive impairment compared to those sitting almost none of the time, irrespective of PA levels. Joint association analysis with sedentary time ≤25% and exceeding physical activity guidelines (>1000 MET min/week) as referent, showed that the highest odds for cognitive impairment were in those sitting ≥75% of the time while meeting or not meeting PA guidelines (OR=1.71 [1.14‐2.56] and 1.70 [1.22‐2.37], respectively). However, those who reported sitting 75% of the time or more had lower odds of cognitive impairment when in the exceeding physical activity strata (OR=1.48; 95%CI 1.10‐2.00; see figure).ConclusionProlonged sitting time and insufficient physical activity might each independently increase the likelihood of cognitive impairment. Yet, engaging in extensive PA might attenuate the risk associated with prolonged sitting.