Overview
- An SEN survey released Nov. 19 reports that fewer than half of Spaniards follow each item in its 10‑point brain‑health guide, even as 96% say lifestyle influences brain health and many remain unsure which habits help.
- Sleep and activity stand out: 56% sleep under seven hours, only 37% meet weekly exercise targets, nearly half sit more than six hours a day, and over 35% devote little or no time to cognitive stimulation.
- Screen exposure is heavy, with more than 63% watching TV over two hours daily and 70% using social media beyond 30 minutes, rising to nearly 90% of 18–34 year‑olds spending over two hours on social platforms.
- Preventive checks and diet lag: just about half get annual blood tests, over 40% seldom monitor blood pressure, many miss recommended fruit, vegetables and fish, 24% eat pastries or sugary foods daily, 11% drink alcohol almost daily and 15% smoke.
- SEN says more than 90% of strokes and up to 40% of Alzheimer’s cases could be prevented with healthier habits, noting neurological diseases affect over 23 million people in Spain, and its leaders urge stronger prevention campaigns starting in childhood.