Our Cause

The United States food system has significant negative impacts on public and environmental health. Fortunately, individuals can help combat climate change and improve their nutrition by adopting sustainable diets. These diets not only promote health and ensure food security for the present population but also conserve natural and human resources for future generations.

By empowering individuals with knowledge and skills to make informed dietary choices, KIN is fostering a more sustainable, equitable, and health-promoting food system while driving long-term improvements in public and environmental health.

Health

Unhealthy diets are a leading risk factor for developing chronic diseases.

Equity

The American food system disproportionately impacts youth and marginalized communities.

Environment

Animal-sourced food products are the leading cause of emissions produced by our food system.

Change

For a future where our health and environment are not permanently damaged, a fundamental shift in our food system is urgently needed.

Health

Child Obesity in the United States (Age 2-19)

The Health Crisis in the U.S.:

Unhealthy diets and low physical activity are major risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the United States, leading to serious health concerns such as:

Heart Disease: The leading cause of death, affecting nearly half of all Americans.
Obesity: Over 71% of adults are overweight or obese.
Type 2 Diabetes: 1 in 10 Americans develop this condition, with a staggering 95% increase among youth since 2001. Approximately 1 in 5 adolescents aged 12 to 18 have prediabetes, and 21.2% are classified as obese.

Key Statistics:

Heart Disease: Accounts for about 1 in 5 deaths in the U.S.
Nutrition: Less than 10% of adults and less than 2% of children meet their recommended vegetable intake.

The Urgency for Action

The rising prevalence of obesity and Type 2 diabetes among children, teens, and young adults highlights the critical need for early intervention. Comprehensive public health strategies focused on promoting healthy eating and active living are essential to combat this growing crisis

Less than 3% of healthcare spending is directed toward chronic disease prevention.

Economic Impact in the United States:

Obesity-Related Costs

2016: Medical costs associated with obesity reached $260.6 billion.
2024 Projection: Obesity-related health care spending could exceed $385 billion.

Diabetes-Related Costs (2022 Data)

Total estimated cost: $412.9 billion
- Direct medical costs: $306.6 billion
- Indirect costs: $106.3 billion
Cost increase: Inflation-adjusted direct medical costs rose by 7% from 2017 and 35% from 2012
Healthcare spending: 1 in 4 health care dollars in the U.S. is spent on diabetes care.

The Urgency for Action

These figures highlight the substantial economic burden of obesity and diabetes on the U.S. healthcare system, emphasizing the need for effective prevention and management strategies. Note: Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90-95% of all diabetes cases.

Habits:

U.S. students receive less than 8 hours of nutrition education each year, far below the 40 hours needed to affect behavior change.
Given that children develop habits by age 9, “Promoting and establishing healthy behaviors for younger people are more effective, and often easier, than efforts to change unhealthy behaviors already established in adult populations.”
It is easier and less costly to form strong brain circuits (habits) during the early years than it is to intervene or "fix" them later.

HCDC_Levitt-Plasticity-Curve_SHARE-768x5

The Urgency for Action

Diet plays an important role in preventing chronic diseases and supporting good health. Therefore, schools ideally should offer more hours of nutrition education instruction and engage teachers and parents in nutrition education. KIN addresses these education deficiencies by delivering nutrition education directly to elementary classrooms.

Equity

Diet-related chronic diseases—such as diabetes, obesity, stroke, heart disease, and cancer—disproportionately impact marginalized communities. Lower wages and insufficient insurance coverage limit access to quality healthcare for these groups.

Disparities in Diet-Related Diseases: Marginalized groups, such as Black and Indigenous communities, experience higher rates of diet-related diseases due to structural racism and limited access to healthy foods.
Healthcare Access Barriers: Many individuals in rural areas face significant barriers to healthcare access, including financial constraints and a shortage of healthcare professionals.
Nutrition Education and Food Access: Schools in lower-income areas often lack resources for nutrition education and physical activity, contributing to poor dietary habits.
Food Insecurity's Impact: Food insecurity disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minority communities, leading to increased risks of chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity.
Need for Chronic Disease Prevention: Addressing these disparities requires greater investment in chronic disease prevention programs that promote healthy eating and active lifestyles.

The Urgency for Action

A comprehensive approach to address health and socioeconomic disparities in America involves closing ethnic and racial gaps through improvements in education and food access. Increased investment in chronic disease prevention, particularly through promoting healthy diets and exercise, is critical as chronic disease rates continue to rise in the U.S.

Environment

The environmental impact of our diets is significant and well-documented:

Food systems account for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, 71% of which comes from the production phase (agriculture).
Animal agriculture contributes 11-20% of GLOBAL emissions, which is more than the transportation sector.
Half of the world's habitable land is used for agriculture.
Animal agriculture drives deforestation and is linked to approximately 77% of deforested land.
70% of global freshwater withdrawals are used for agriculture.
Agriculture causes 78% of global ocean and freshwater eutrophication.
Our global food system is the primary driver of biodiversity loss, with agriculture alone being the identified threat to 24,000 of the 28,000 (86%) species at risk of extinction.

Total meat production has more than quadrupled since 1961 with Americans being one of the largest consumers in the world.

The Urgency for Action

To safeguard our health and the environment for future generations, a fundamental shift in how we produce and consume food is essential.

Change

Dietary Change

Environmental sustainability and positive public health outcomes are co-benefits of healthy dietary behaviors. 52% of Americans now consider environmental sustainability when making food choices, a significant increase from previous years.

A shift from the typical Western diet to a more unprocessed, sustainable diet with an emphasis on whole plant-based foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes, has transformative potential, reducing: