Emma has called on the government to go further in tackling childhood obesity after it published its childhood obesity strategy.

Currently, one fifth of children are overweight or obese when they begin school, with the figure increasing to one third by the time they complete primary school.

Obesity is currently estimated to cost the NHS £5.1 billion every year and is one of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes, which accounts for £8.8 billion a year, almost 9% of the NHS budget.

Emma said “It is good to see the government attempting to tackle childhood obesity. In particular, I welcome the sugar tax which I hope will be rolled out soon. The cross-party Health Select Committee in Parliament on which I sit has been calling on the government to take this step for some time.

“However, I am disappointed to see that the current strategy does not go far enough. When even retailers like Sainsbury’s are saying that there should be mandatory cuts to sugar levels in food and drinks, it is clear that the government’s voluntary approach is insufficient.”

“The government also needs to take stronger steps to place restrictions on the promotion and marketing of sugary foods, particularly on TV, and to improve education in schools.”

“Obesity is a growing problem in the UK and Wolverhampton. Children in our city suffer from above average levels of obesity. Over a quarter of our five-year-olds, and over 40% of Year 7 pupils are either overweight or obese.”

“I will continue to campaign on this issue and call on the government to do more to tackle childhood obesity which can seriously impact on an individual’s health later in life.”