Researchers explore the prospective link between screen time and the risk of developing dementia, Parkinson's disease, and depression.
By Vijay Kumar MalesuNov 10 2023Reviewed by Benedette Cuffari, M.Sc. In a recent study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutritional and Physical Activity, researchers explore the prospective link between various screen time behaviors and changes in brain structure , as well as the risk of developing dementia, Parkinson's disease , and depression.
Further research is crucial to clarify the unclear relationships between screen time and PD, depression, and multimorbidity, especially as neurodegenerative disorders share modifiable risk factors with depression that could be influenced by screen habits and physical activity . The UK Biobank collected data on screen time by querying participants about daily hours spent watching television and using computers recreationally. Durations reported outside of the zero to 24 hour range were excluded, with high usage prompting confirmation and responses indicating less than one hour recorded as 30 minutes each day.
Hazard ratios for disease incidence by screen time were calculated using Cox regression and confirmed by Schoenfeld residuals for assumption adherence. Dose-responses were explored with restricted cubic splines. The participants exhibited varying characteristics based on their screen time habits. Those with higher TV viewing times were generally older, predominantly male, had higher body mass indices , lower PA levels, and were more likely to be smokers. Conversely, individuals with higher computer use were typically younger, predominantly male, with similar BMIs and PA profiles to the high TV viewers.
The researchers also utilized isotemporal substitution analyses to explore whether PA could mitigate the health risks associated with screen time. These results were promising, as substituting even a half-hour of screen time with PA, whether daily-life activities or structured exercise, significantly reduced the risks of dementia, PD, and depression.
Screen Time Brain Structure Dementia Parkinson's Disease Depression
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