People struggling with the high price of fruit and veges should try growing their own, a Hawke's Bay health worker says.
Sport Hawke's Bay health team leader Jo Mardon said healthy eating habits began in the home.
"Children learn from their parents so it is very important that parents teach their children to eat a healthy balanced diet and to exercise regularly," Miss Mardon said.
She warned poor eating and exercise habits could lead to weight issues.
"Being overweight or obese can increase a person's risk of developing a number of other health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and musculoskeletal problems such as arthritis," she said.
New Zealand's obesity rates reached infamous levels last week when the Government beat out its transtasman counterpart to win a Couch Potato Award.
The Australia and New Zealand Obesity Society accolade recognised weak leadership in tackling the obesity epidemic.
About one in three New Zealand adults are overweight and one in four are obese, according to the NZ Adult Nutrition survey.
A person is considered obese when his or her weight is 20 per cent or more above normal weight.
Obesity rates have nearly tripled in recent decades. In 1977, only 9 per cent of males and 11 per cent of females were obese.
Diabetes NZ was not surprised by the Obesity Society award.
"The worst thing [the Government] did was they abandoned the rule that had been implemented that demanded school tuckshops and canteens only had healthy food available for sale," president Chris Baty said.
"It's not just a matter of an individual eating too much and not being active enough; it's actually a societal problem."
Obesity rates for children aged 2 to 14 years show one in 12 are obese and one in five are overweight.
Mrs Baty said obesity was often a significant contributing factor in Type 2 diabetes - a disease the Ministry of Health estimates affects more than 200,000 Kiwis.