Researchers found that a healthy diet, cognitive activity, regular physical exercise, and abstaining from alcohol/smoking were significantly linked to slowed cognitive decline. Factors that affect memory include aging, chronic diseases, and lifestyle patterns. Few studies examined how lifestyle patterns can impact memory decline. Out of the 6 healthy habits, researchers found four were the most impactful: 1) Healthy Diet, 2) Cognitive Activity, 3) Physical Exercise, and 4) Social Engagement
Healthy Diet
Diet was examined through daily intake of 12 food items including fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, dairy products, salt, oil, eggs, cereals, legumes, nuts, and tea. A healthy diet had the strongest protective effect on memory.
Active Cognitive Activity
Active cognitive activity had the second strongest protective effect on memory in the study. Cognitive activities included writing, reading, playing cards, mahjong, and other games. A person was considered to have a favorable lifestyle in terms of cognitive activity if they engaged in 4-6 cognitive activities.
Active Cognitive Activity
Active cognitive activity had the second strongest protective effect on memory in the study. Cognitive activities included writing, reading, playing cards, mahjong, and other games. A person was considered to have a favorable lifestyle in terms of cognitive activity if they engaged in 4-6 cognitive activities.
Social/Community Engagement
Social engagement had the fourth strongest protective effect on memory. Social engagement includes activities such as participating in meetings, attending parties, visiting friends/relatives, traveling, and chatting online. A person was considered to have a favorable lifestyle in terms of social engagement if they engaged in 4-6 social engagement activities.
| Citation: Jia J, Zhao T, Liu Z, Liang Y, Li F, Li Y et al. Association between healthy lifestyle and memory decline in older adults: 10 year, population based, prospective cohort study BMJ 2023; 380 :e072691 doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-072691 |
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