Inactivity risks mental health
Exercise can help older people to ward off dementia, research suggests
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Thursday, 06, Dec 2007 03:53
Inactive lifestyles can increase older people's risk of dementia by about a third, researchers said today.
It is estimated that only a third of men and a quarter of women reach the recommended 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity at least five times a week.
In children, 30 per cent of boys and nearly 40 per cent of girls do not exercise at a moderate intensity for the recommended 60 minutes a day.
These inactive lifestyles are putting people's mental wellbeing at risk, a British Nutrition Foundation conference heard today.
New findings from ongoing research at Bristol University reveal that leading a physically active life can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment, dementia or Alzheimer's disease in older people by 30 to 40 per cent.
Evidence has also emerged that physical activity is important for psychological wellbeing, mood and self-esteem and helps to reduce the risk of clinical depression.
Nanette Mutrie, professor of exercise and sport psychology at the University of Strathclyde and a speaker at the conference, said: "It is estimated that over 700,000 people in the UK currently suffer from dementia and more research is needed to determine how this condition can be prevented.
"This research provides evidence that by increasing physical activity levels we can help prevent cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia in later life".
BNF director general Professor Judy Buttriss added: "People are living longer and the implications of this for personal health and health care costs are likely to be enormous.
"There has already, justifiably, been a lot of emphasis on good nutrition but we must also find ways of helping people to be more physically active to ensure that they maintain health and quality of life in later years".