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Adults who averaged fewer than 5,000 steps a day were later diagnosed with dementia, Parkinson's disease or stroke at almost twice the rate of those averaging more than 12,000 steps, according to a new study presented at the 151st Annual Meeting of the American Neurological Association (ANA).

The study, which analyzed a year of fitness-tracker data from more than 22,000 people, suggests that long-term activity patterns tracked by these popular devices may offer clues about future brain health.

People in the least-active group were more likely to have obesity, diabetes, hypertension and depression than those in the more active groups. The findings reflect the close connection between cardiovascular health and brain health. Physical activity can help people manage their weight, blood pressure and blood sugar, factors that are also linked to stroke and cognitive decline.

"Low activity and conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and depression are a package deal, part of a broader health picture. Data from fitness trackers could help identify those who need earlier attention to their weight, blood sugar, blood pressure or mental health—all health concerns that we know how to address," said Dr. Meet Popatbhai Kachhadia, lead author of the study and a neurology resident at Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine in Boca Raton, Florida.

"The takeaway is that how much you move over a year may offer a window into your overall brain-and-body health."

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