Switching from a sedentary lifestyle to a very active one -- even in your 40s -- can nearly eliminate the risk of heart disease, a new study shows. Of course, the study documented that couch potatoes had the highest risk, and fitness freaks age 20 to 40 had a lower risk -- by 62 percent. Those participants who exercised minimally, but then began an exercise routine after age 40 cut their heart risk in half. The most dramatic change occurred in those over age 40 who never exercised and then became extremely active -- these participants reduced their risk by 90 percent. Previous studies have also shown that adopting an exercise routine can actually reverse the ill-effects of inactivity. It's never too late to start!

Here is some old-fashioned common sense advice that international health experts are hoping parents will understand. Children need to get outside and play more -- skipping and hopping and jumping and running. Because if today's children do not become more physically active than they currently are, they are facing serious heart health problems later in life.

Based on the results of a study to determine the link between children's physical activity and risk factors for heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers, researchers are recommending that children between the ages of five and 16 spend at least an hour or two each day simply playing outside.

"Just making sure children play outside will double the amount of physical activity they get," said Dr. Lars Bo Andersen, lead author of the research. The recommendation for the need of children to go outside and play each day in warding off heart disease later in life applies to all children, not just to children who are overweight or obese.

According to the researchers, who studied children and their physical activity levels, approximately 40 percent of the children were moderately active, while the remaining 60 percent were sedentary. While the government can intervene by implementing more physical activity time into the school day, it is the parents who will be able to make the most difference in the health of their children. It is time to take this problem seriously -- it is time to go outside and play.

If you tell a child they can't watch their favorite TV show unless they go outside and play, then they spend less time being sedentary and get more exercise. Recent research seeks to remind parents that they can motivate their children to be more active using a reward system, as a way to curb the current childhood obesity epidemic.

According to the study, overweight children who were not allowed to watch TV and play video games unless they exercised were 65 percent more active. Practice of this household rule also cut their TV time by over two-thirds, from three hours a day to only 45 minutes. In addition, the overweight children also snacked less. Imagine-- if overweight children had a reason to exercise, such as the reward of TV time, AND parents set eating rules (see recent study)-- there may not be any more obese children-- as well as less future adults with heart problems.

A new study examines the possibility of reversing the ill-effects of inactivity. Only a minimum amount of physical activity is required to keep cardiovascular disease risk at a manageable level. But more is always better, and minimum is relative to your weight.

For the study, several fairly overweight, but otherwise healthy volunteers remained inactive for a period of six months, followed by a six-month exercise plan structured by the researchers. The results found that the increase in physical activity over the latter six months nearly eradicated any physical deterioration of the volunteers. The study also found that those who fared the worst during the six months of inactivity also had the highest levels of improvement during the active period.

Surprise! Survey says Canadians are healthier than Americans. A recent Harvard Medical School study found Canadians are 32 percent less prone to high blood pressure and 42 percent less prone to diabetes. Twice as many Americans lead sedentary lifestyles, and Canadians are less obese. However, 2 percent less Americans are smokers.

One of the reasons Canadians may be in better shape is their universal health care program, which allows everyone access to preventative care. However, the study found that insured Americans were just healthy as Canadians, and that it is the uninsured Americans who are more at risk and sick. Perhaps another reason could be the general attitude of the peaceful Canadian culture. The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, is based on a telephone survey of 3,500 Canadians and 5,200 U.S. residents in 2002-03.