At the heart of the 'French Healthy Lifestyle Alliance', scientists, politicians and economists suggest innovative solutions to combat cardiovascular diseases and obesity. Excercise is the starting point, they say. EurActiv France reports.

TheFrench Healthy Lifestyle Alliance ("Alliance France pour le Mieux Vivre) recommends a comprehensive approach to improving peoples lifestyles. The group, established by the International Chair on Cardiometabolic Risk (ICCR), a North American organisation, brings together French doctors, economists and politicians, who all agree on the importance of exercise as medical treatment.

Activity for longevity

Inactivity is the number one avoidable cause of death in the world, ahead of tobacco abuse, according to a 2012 medical study cited by Martine Duclos, a university professor and member of the alliance.

The professor declares that physical activity must be placed at the heart of childrens education.

Physical activity is not one of our cultural traits. It is different to northern Europe where physical activity is centre stage in childhood. Time spent sitting down in childhood shapes our behaviour for the rest of our life. Furthermore, cardiovascular diseases start in childhood, which explains the importance of making children aware at such an early stage.

Everyday actions suffice in increasing activity. She highlights that it is important to promote a positive message, and explain that activity does not necessarily have to be intensive exercise, one must simply be active every day. This means choosing the stairs over the escalators or walking short distances instead of driving.

According to Martine Duclos, exercise fends off cardiovascular diseases and lowers cholesterol levels.

The risk of developing cardiovascular diseases is 30% less likely for patients who do exercise, a minimum of 30 minutes five times per week, which is accompanied by a balanced diet low in sugar, salt and fat. For patients suffering from hypercholesterolemia, exercise can sometimes avoid the need for treatment or allow for a reduction of the prescribed doses.

10 billion of potential savings

View original post here:
Sport touted as the best medicine against heart disease

BANGKOK Thai shares rose for a second day, led by large-cap and dividend-yielding stocks, while shares in Singapore hit their highest in more than two months as upbeat U.S. data and hopes about China's economic stimulus boosted sentiments. Gains in shares of Advanced Info Service PCL, the third-biggest company by market value, and active buying in utility firm Glow Energy PCL helped lift the broader Thai market. The SET index closed up 0.5 percent at 1,360.44. Domestic institutions were major buyers of Thai shares on Wednesday. Brokers expect limited gains near term thanks to rising political risk. Anti-government protesters marched in Bangkok on Tuesday to drum up support for a rally at the weekend, just before Thailand holds elections for the Senate, which will play a central role in their aim of removing Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Data released on Wednesday showed Thai exports rose more than expected in February but imports plunged again, which might show how the country's long political crisis is hitting domestic demand. Singaporer's benchmark Straits Times index was up 1.3 percent at 3,143.32, the highest close since Jan. 10, as MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 1.2 percent. Foreign investors bought shares in the region, according to stock exchange and Thomson Reuters data. The Philippines posted a net inflows of 417.5 million peso ($9.26 million), Malaysia's 62.79 million ringgit ($19 million) and Indonesia's 107.7 billion rupiah ($9.46 million). Vietnam bucked the trend, falling 2.3 percent as individual investors sold stocks to reduce margin trading. SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS Change on day Market Current Prev Close Pct Move TR SE Asia Index* 403.13 400.77 +0.59 Singapore 3143.32 3104.17 +1.26 Kuala Lumpur 1839.14 1837.17 +0.11 Bangkok 1360.44 1354.01 +0.47 Jakarta 4728.24 4703.09 +0.53 Manila 6348.50 6336.34 +0.19 Ho Chi Minh 588.06 601.85 -2.29 Change on year Market Current End 2013 Pct Move TR SE Asia Index* 403.13 388.37 +3.80 Singapore 3143.32 3167.43 -0.76 Kuala Lumpur 1839.14 1866.96 -1.49 Bangkok 1360.44 1298.71 +4.75 Jakarta 4728.24 4274.18 +10.62 Manila 6348.50 5889.83 +7.79 Ho Chi Minh 588.06 504.63 +16.53 * The Thomson Reuters South East Asia Index is a highly representative indicator of stocks listed in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. ($1 = 45.0700 Philippine Pesos) ($1 = 3.3045 Malaysian Ringgits) ($1 = 11392.5000 Indonesian Rupiahs) ($1 = 32.5600 Thai Baht)- Reuters

See the article here:
Southeast Asia stocks: Thai shares rise, RM62mill flows into M'sia, S'pore at 2-month high