The New Local Government Network (NLGN) has called for all councils in the UK to adopt an obesity strategy.

In a report, titled Weighing up the Advantages: A new role for councils in tackling obesity, the independent think tank said every council in the UK should include a strategy as part of its Local Area Agreement and that it should be rewarded by being allowed to retain a sum equivalent to 50 per cent of the NHS savings on treating future obesity averted as a result of early interventions.

Citing research that access to sports facilities increases fitness activity by up to 50 per cent, the report also claims that allowing local people access to sports facilities in independent schools would help to tackle obesity, particularly in children.

Michelle Redmond, the report’s author, said: “Clearly obesity is a major public health issue, demonstrated by rapidly accelerating levels which show no sign of slowing down.

“Government at the local level is the key to halting and reducing the obesity trend. Local councils have the ability to reach large numbers of the community through well designed LAAs with specific targets aimed at reducing obesity levels”.

NLGN is also calling for radical changes to the planning system to promote healthy living, including ensuring every new building development must include sports and fitness facilities.

The report looked at a sample of six UK local authorities to assess how well they were tackling obesity at a local level and found an “extreme variation” in the amount of work undertaken.