Excess Leisure Sedentary Time Tied to Long-Term Stroke Risk in Younger Adults

Sedentary time is defined as the number of hours spent on the computer, reading, and watching television; leisure sedentary time is specific to the sedentary activities performed when not at work.

Leisure sedentary time of 8 hours or more per day is associated with increased long-term risk for stroke in adults younger than 60 years with low physical activity.

According to American Heart Association statistics, U.S. adults spend an average of 10.5 hours a day connected to media such as smartphones, computers, or television watching, and adults ages 50 to 64 spend the most time of any age group connected to media.

Multiple studies have shown that physical activity is associated with lower risk for stroke .

“High sedentary time with low physical activity is associated with higher risk of stroke in young individuals. 

Excess leisure sedentary time of 8+ hours/day is associated with increased risk of long-term stroke among individuals <60 years of age with low PA. These findings support efforts to  reduce sedentary time in younger individuals.

"Improving the lifestyle of a young adult with an excess risk of heart problems will not prevent most of the risk for stroke or cardiovascular disease in young adults in this study," said Research. "

"High sedentary time combined with low physical activity is linked to an increased risk of stroke in young people." The researchers found that "public health efforts to improve physical activity and minimise high sedentary time in the young may contribute to lowering the long-term risk of stroke in this population."