Watching television for extended periods significantly raises the risk of developing dementia, according to new research. A study involving 407,000 people in the UK found that those who watched more than five hours of TV a day had a 44% higher risk of dementia compared to those who watched less.
The research, conducted by Tianjin Medical University and published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, also found links between high TV consumption and increased rates of stroke and Parkinson’s disease.
Participants who watched between three to five hours of TV daily faced a 15% higher risk of dementia, while those exceeding five hours had a 44% higher risk. Additionally, this group experienced a 12% increased risk of stroke and a 28% greater risk of Parkinson’s disease.
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The study analyzed data from the UK Biobank project, which tracked 407,000 individuals aged 37 to 73 over a 13-year period. Of these, 40,000 underwent brain scans. At the start of the study, none had any diagnosed brain disorders. Over the follow-up period, 5,227 participants developed dementia, 6,822 suffered strokes, and 2,308 were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers noted that the average TV viewing time among participants was 2.7 hours per day. They found no increased risk associated with time spent on computers, possibly due to the more mentally engaging nature of computer use compared to passive TV watching.
The study also indicated that excessive TV watching was linked to reduced grey matter and smaller memory centers in the brain. While the exact mechanism behind these effects remains unclear, one theory suggests that sedentary behavior, characterized by low muscle activity and energy expenditure, may lead to chronic inflammation and reduced blood flow to the brain.
James Rowe, Professor of Cognitive Neurology at Cambridge, commented on the findings, advising that moderate TV watching is not harmful. “A couple of hours did not increase the risk. So, enjoy your favourite TV, then go and do something else,” he said.
