Sports clubs have a role to play in helping cut levels of obesity, says James Evans.

The Brecon and Radnorshire MS raised the issue with Culture Minister, Jack Sergeant, at the Senedd.

He asked Mr Sergeant what he is doing to ensure that sports clubs can play a part in cutting obesity across Wales.

Mr Evans asked about the timeframe over which this will happen, and when MSs can expect to see the results of the work that the Government is doing.

Mr Sergeant said Mr Evans has a passionate interest in the role that sport and health can play in Wales and in his own constituency.

He said: “The role he mentions in sport and what it can do in terms of preventative measures in the health department is important.

“It’s something that the Health Secretary and I will have further conversations about.

“I will just point to the Welsh Rugby Union and Urdd programme ‘Fit, Fed and Fun’ that takes place during the school holidays.

“That doesn't just help battle loneliness and isolation - it very much does all the things James Evans wishes sport to do in terms of getting people fit and healthy.

“I'm very committed to making sure that anyone who wants to access sport in Wales can do so in whatever sport that may be, at whatever level, to make sure that we have a healthy nation going forward.”

The most recent figures from the National Survey for Wales show that 62 per cent of adults age 16+ in Wales are overweight or obese - 25 per cent reported being obese.

Public Health Wales has previously estimated the cost of obesity to the NHS in Wales as £73 million. By 2050, this is estimated to rise to £465 million.