The Children's Minister says the level of obesity in five-year-olds is a really serious problem.
The latest Growing Up in Ireland survey shows that 20% of five-year-olds are overweight or obese.
Since 2006, it has been monitoring the development of almost 20,000 infants and children, as part of the first ever longitudinal study of its kind here.
It finds that children in the most economically disadvantaged households are more likely to have weight issues.
The study says that there is a clear relationship between the amount of time children spend in front of screens and their health.
Frances Fitzgerald says more has to be done to help overweight and obese children:The families of 25% of five-year-olds are also finding it hard to make ends meet.
The Growing Up in Ireland study shows that many have been forced to cut back on or can't afford basics, while others are behind on bills.
Professor James Williams (pictured above) from the Economic and Social Research Institute is the lead investigator in the study:
