Hackney Council is set to tackle its obesity problem by signing an agreement to reduce sugar and promote healthier foods.

The town hall’s cabinet has been urged to join other councils across London by signing the Local Authority Declaration on Sugar Reduction and Healthier Food.

More than a quarter – 26.6 per cent – of 10 and 11-year-olds in the b orough are obese, higher than the London average of 23.2pc and the national mean of 20pc.

On top of that, 41.5pc are overweight. The London average is 38.1pc and the UK average is 34.2pc.

There are also 90,000 overweight adults in the borough, 36,000 of whom are obese and 4,700 of whom are “very obese”.

“Obesity is one of Hackney’s largest causes of ill health, and an issue of significant strategic importance,” officers said in a report ahead of Monday’s meeting. “We want to use all of the levers available to help us to help residents take healthier decisions, and to demonstrate our leadership on behalf of residents.”

People from deprived backgrounds are more likely to be obese, data shows. The declaration comes with pledges to improve the availability of healthier food and drink and to cut down on unhealthy options.

Officers said much of the work is already being done in the borough.