Bendigo Community Health Services manager of healthy communities Kaye Graves said people were putting themselves at risk of grave health concerns by making poor dietary choices.

"Fresh food is best and takeaway is always more expensive than fresh food," she said.

And, according to a recent study, more people are making potentially life-threatening decisions globally on a daily basis.

The University of North Carolina study revealed that one billion people are overweight worldwide - more than the 800 million who are undernourished.

Ms Graves called the weight crisis "the number one form of malnutrition in the world" and challenged parents to stop making excuses when it came to encouraging healthy eating.

"Parents need to get back to basics," Ms Graves said.

"They need to learn about menus, what constitutes a healthy meal; shopping, what is needed to make that meal; and the kitchen, how to cook food to ensure you get all the nutrients you need."

Discouraging sedentary activities and the consumption of junk food were both initiatives nominated by Ms Graves as important should parents wish to change

their children's weight, but changing their own attitudes first was vital, she said.

VicHealth estimates 56 per cent of men and 38 per cent of women believe they are overweight, yet continue to purchase apparently cheaper junk foods for their children's diets.

A separate study by Deakin University in conjunction with the Department of Human Services found 50 per cent of Victorians aged between four and 12 had more than two serves of junk food in their lunchbox on a daily basis.

Such statistics reinforced the need for a comprehensive obesity campaign, Ms Graves said.