The Irish Heart Foundation says childhood obesity is a "health catastrophe" which the government must address now or suffer long-term consequences.
The foundation is calling for a €30m fund to be set up in Budget 2015 to tackle the issue.
It says the 'Children's Future Health Fund' could be financed by a 20% tax on sugar-sweetened drinks - which the foundation says could bring in as much as €60m for the exchequer.
It is claimed that a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages could potentially lead to a 1.3% reduction in obesity - which would reduce the number of obese adults by around 10,000 in Ireland and the total number of adults who are overweight, including obese, by 14,000.
An IPSOS/MRBI study in June said that over half of the public supports a tax on sweetened drinks - with up to one-quarter of Irish children as young as 3 now clinically obese.
52% of the public are in favour of the tax, compared to 46% against - while 87% of the population believe that sugar-sweetened drinks contribute to obesity among children and young people.
There was majority of support across all social and occupational groups, as well as most age groups. The unemployed were the only occupational group who had a majority not supporting the tax at 53%.
Chris Macey is the head of advocacy at the Irish Heart Foundation. He says immediate action is needed.
