Local authority leaders have called on the Government to recommit to the sugar levy as a new study reveals it may have prevented more than 5,000 cases of obesity every year.

A new study by researchers at the University of Cambridge looked at the impact of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, which was introduced in 2018, on reception age children and those in year six.

Published yesterday in PLOS Medicine, the study found no significant association between the levy and obesity levels in year six boys or younger children from reception class.

However, it did find that around 5,000 cases of obesity per year may have been prevented in year six girls alone, particularly those from poorer areas.

The study’s first author, Dr Nina Rogers from the MRC Epidemiology Unit at Cambridge, said: ‘We urgently need to find ways to tackle the increasing numbers of children living with obesity, otherwise we risk our children growing up to face significant health problems. That was one reason why the UK’s soft drinks industry levy was introduced, and the evidence so far is promising. We’ve shown for the first time that it is likely to have helped prevent thousands of children each year becoming obese.

‘It isn’t a straightforward picture, though, as it was mainly older girls who benefited. But the fact that we saw the biggest difference among girls from areas of high deprivation is important and is a step towards reducing the health inequalities they face.’

Commenting on the findings, Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Community Wellbeing Board said: ‘This compelling piece of evidence shows the impact the sugar levy has had on addressing rising levels of childhood obesity.

‘Vital funds previously raised by the Levy have been allocated towards measures to improve child health, such as breakfast clubs and additional sports and PE provision in schools.

‘The Government should recommit to maintaining the levy and work with councils to ensure that it is delivered effectively in local communities and targeted to the areas who really need it the most.’