Jamie Oliver: 'I want to help fight obesity in Australia'

Jamie Oliver has said that he wants to save Australian children from obesity.

The British celebrity chef, who has already opened one Ministry of Food in Ipswich to teach locals about the importance of nutrition, said that it was such a success that he wants to spread the healthy eating scheme all over the country.

Oliver told the Herald Sun: "I'm really supportive of the Victorian Government's plan for an anti-obesity campaign. The Good Foundation team have been working with the Government to discuss plans to roll out my Ministry of Food centres.

"Our first Australian centre in Ipswich has been a huge success and we need more of these centres in towns that need our help."

Oliver said of the programme: "It's a little bit of mentoring and basic education on how to cook quick, tasty, affordable meals, so that people can make better food choices for themselves and their families.

"When you know how to cook, you've got control over your life and your health. Cooking is one of the most important things we can ever learn in life. With the right sort of information and teaching, absolutely anybody can cook. It's wonderful, it's fun, and, most importantly, it changes lives."

Before launching the first Austraian Ministry of Food, Oliver revealed that he felt "proud" to be able to help with the country's obesity problem.