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.