Children advised to reduce screen time and exercise more to boost heart health

Mary Byrne, PJ Brady and Eileen Brady playing tug-of-war with children from St James's Primary School as the HSE and Department of Health launched a new National Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Ireland. Picture: Marc O'Sullivan

Reducing screen time and doing just two and half hours of moderate exercise weekly can improve adult heart, brain and bone health as well as mental health, the chief medical officer and HSE have said.

The advice comes as the first Irish physical activity guidelines for very young children were published along with updated guidelines for adults.

The GAA, schools and other groups are working with the HSE, Department of Health, and other departments to make it easier for children to do all kinds of activities, Professor Breda Smyth said.

“We have promoted a number of programmes that are enabling people to engage in physical activity, like our Healthy Clubs initiative. We also have our park runs throughout the country,” she said.

“We also need the environment to actually be conducive to that (activity) and be available for that," she said.

“There are new playgrounds open, new walking tracks with our GAA clubs, so we are continually working in that space to improve the environment.” 

The introduction of children’s guidelines brings Ireland in line with WHO advice and follows research showing just 23% of primary children and just 12% of second-level students
do enough physical activity.

The guidelines advise how many hours children should be moving each week, including babies aged under one.

Adult guidelines

Updated adult guidelines follow studies showing only 46% of adults do enough physical activity.

Prof Smyth said “sedentary behaviour” includes office work, driving, watching TV, and other screen-based activities.

“Replacing this sedentary time, where possible, with activity, even light intensity activity — essentially moving more every day — is also strongly advised to protect health,” she said.

Over-18s, including people living with a disability, are advised to be active at moderate or vigorous levels. Over-65s are advised to keep moving and include strength training.

Sarah O’Brien, HSE Healthy Eating Active Living Programme national lead, acknowledged it can be challenging to fit activity into busy lives.

“Simple ways to start incorporating more activity into day-to-day life could be walking to work instead of driving, taking the stairs instead of the lift, if catching the bus, get off a few stops early,” she said.

“Reduce the amount of time we spend on screens, whether watching TV, playing games or scrolling through social media on our phones. Instead of a cinema playdate bring the children and their friends to a local playground to run around and climb safely.” 

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

The launch, at HSE headquarters in Dublin, was attended by children and adults of all ages.

Ruth, 25, who travelled from Rossecourt resource centre with Stewart’s Care, said sport is a huge part of her life.

“I love swimming, I love watching people swim but I also like going myself,” she said. “They bring us to a pool, it’s just down the road from Rossecourt.” 

On Tuesdays, she goes to a gym to do weights and use a bicycle adapted for wheelchair users. “The weights help me get on the bus in the morning and in the afternoon,” she said.

The report can be viewed  here