Summary
A study spanning 35 years by Cardiff University, following 2,235 men from Caerphilly, has found a strong beneficial impact of life-long exercise in reducing the risk of developing dementia.
The research team estimates that unhealthy living has accounted for around 10%
of the NHS budget in Wales since the study began. The implications for public health policy are discussed.
“If the men had been urged to adopt just one additional healthy behaviour at the start of the study 35 years ago, and if only half of them complied, then during the ensuing 35 years there would have been a 13% reduction in dementia, a 12% drop in diabetes, 6% less vascular disease and a 5% reduction in deaths”.
Read more: BBC News. Exercise ‘significant role’ in reducing risk of dementia, long-term study finds.
Reference
Exercise ‘significant role’ in reducing risk of dementia, long-term study finds. London: BBC Health News, December 9th 2013.
This relates to:
Reference
Elwood, P. Galante, J. [and] Pickering, J. [et al] (2013). Healthy lifestyles reduce the incidence of chronic diseases and dementia: evidence from the Caerphilly Cohort Study. PLoS One, December 9th 2013. [Epub ahead of print].
More on Healthy/ Unhealthy Behaviours (WHO)
This WHO report examines progress in the European region on reducing non-communicable diseases, which continue to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality.
Reference
Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases in the European Region. A progress report. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe, December 2013.
Inactivity Pandemic in Poor Areas of England Elevating Premature Deaths (BBC News / UKactivec)
Reference
Triggle, N. (2014). Poor areas suffer ‘inactivity pandemic’. London: BBC Health News, January 31st 2014.
This relates to:
Reference
Turning the tide of inactivity. London: ukactive, January 30th 2014.
Possibly also of interest:
Reference
Triggle, N. (2014). Why city life may be bad for you. London: BBC Health News, January 30th 2014.
