Just under a quarter of the UK population is officially obese, but only 6% of people believe their weight problem is severe enough to warrant that description, the National Slimming Survey suggests.
Now the Government is launching a healthy eating campaign called Supermeals, which offers help with planning meals as well as discounts on ingredients.
Recipe packs are being distributed to four million homes. Everyone else can take part online.
Public Health Minister Anne Milton said: "Over 60% of adults are either overweight or obese and we have to turn that around. People don't know how to start, so this is a way of kick-starting people in the New Year."
Celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott, who is supporting the campaign, said: "I want people to feel relaxed about it because ultimately, if you feel relaxed and start cooking for yourself, you're not only saving money - you're saving your life."
The Mitchell Waite family, from Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, are living proof of what healthy eating can achieve. Mum Jo has lost four-and-a-half stone, and she welcomes the Supermeals campaign.
"Money off would would help because then more people would be able to afford fresh ingredients rather than opting for pizzas and unhealthy food," she said.
Son Josh has also lost weight. As a result he says he has more friends and can now ride his bike.
"When I found out I was losing a little bit of weight I was happy. I feel much better now that I've lost weight," he said.
Both Jo and Josh aim to lose more weight with the help of Supermeals.
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