English celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is turning his attention to the dietary habits of the residents of Ipswich.

Oliver has announced he is setting up a local branch of his world-renowned Ministry of Food - a project designed to promote healthy eating - in the city, west of Brisbane.

In a DVD released by the Queensland Government, Oliver says he is keen to help Ipswich people shop, cook and eat well.

"At the moment in Australia, 60 per cent of adults and 25 per cent of children are overweight or obese," he said.

"Diet-related disease is the biggest killer in the country.

"We're going to be opening the first Ministry of Food Australia site in Queensland, in an area called Ipswich, which definitely needs our help."

Oliver says he believes the people of Ipswich are going to embrace the challenge.

"I can't wait to get there, get the shop opened, get the kitchens running and get the community in there," he said.

"Then for the people of Ipswich, getting the tools, getting the information, getting the skills, is only a stone's throw away.

"I'm really proud to be going there. I think the community are going to love it."

The project is being backed by the State Government and the Ipswich City Council.

'Lead by example'

The Mayor of Ipswich, Paul Pisasale, says he is keen to have the health campaign in his city.

"We're not the fattest community in Queensland," he said.

"We've got a situation where we've got a community that likes to lead by example, to show the way, to show that we're prepared to put some actions into our community and let the community know how important health is."

Oliver does not plan to film the Ipswich branch for his popular television series.