Sedentary leisure activities (watching TV, reading, using a cell phone, using the computer, playing video games) can increase the risk of stroke in adults. This is shown by a study published in the scientific journal Stroke, of the American Heart Association.
Examining Canadian health and lifestyle registries, researchers at the University of Calgary found that adults under the age of 60 who spend eight or more hours a day in sedentary leisure time are seven times more likely to experience stroke.
Scientists analyzed information from 143,000 adults without episodes of to flee, heart disease or cancer that participated in the Canadian Community Health Survey in 2000, 2003, 2005 and between 2007 and 2012.
In nearly a decade of follow-up – completed December 31, 2017 – 2,965 strokes were recorded. From there, the researchers verified the time each of the 143,000 participants spent in sedentary activities. The volunteers were separated into four groups:
- Less than four hours of sedentary leisure per day;
- From four to less than six hours a day;
- From six to less than eight hours a day;
- Eight or more hours a day.
The average sedentary lifestyle during leisure time was almost four hours per day for adults under the age of 60. But in the group who reported eight or more hours of sedentary leisure and low physical activity, the risk of stroke was seven times higher.
“People should be aware that sedentary behavior can have adverse health effects,” said Raed Joundi, lead author of the study, on the American Heart Association website.
The scientist explained that the analysis of the sedentary time of the study volunteers did not take into account the work period. According to him, more and more people are having fun with hobbies that involve little exercise, which can lead to health problems.
Among Brazilians between the ages of 50 and 59, the time spent on activities like watching TV fell from 2 hours and 12 minutes to 3 hours and 15 minutes during the pandemic. The use of tablets or computers has also saved more time: it went from 3 hours and 25 minutes to 4 hours and 13 minutes.
The data comes from the ConVid Behavior survey, carried out by Fiocruz (Oswaldo Cruz Foundation), in partnership with UFMG (Federal University of Minas Gerais) and Unicamp (State University of Campinas).
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