Percent distribution of the 10 leading causes of death, by sex: United States, 2023

This issue disproportionately affects low-income communities and racial minorities due to less resources and unique familial and work demands. Despite this, there have been little efforts to effectively address this gap as socioeconomic and cultural differences are rarely accounted for in public health program design, and the skills taught don't translate well to behavioral change.

Percentage of adults who lived in families experiencing food insecurity:

Obesity and weight-related diseases rank as the leading causes of mortality in the United States, and one of the principal reasons behind this public health epidemic is poor nutrition. Unhealthy, ultra-high-calorie options like fast food have become a default meal choice for Americans because of the taste and convenience they provide. A major contributor to this problem is the lack of nutrition education in our school system. American children are not taught how to navigate our complicated food landscape and how to cook nutritious meals at home.

Prevalence of obesity among adults aged 20 and over, by sex and age: United States, 2017–2018

The aim of this program is to provide culturally sensitive nutrition education for underserved middle schoolers in the Houston community by educating them on the basics of nutrition science and how to cook cheap, low-ingredient, quick recipes influenced by Hispanic and Soul cuisines.