“ By 2050, 57% of children will be obese by the time they reach the age of 35. If you are overweight in kindergarten, you are four times more likely to become obese in eighth grade and carry these long-term health issues well into adulthood.”
Gavin Reddy, President and Founder
Childhood obesity is a nationwide crisis—nearly 1 in 5 U.S. children ages 2–19 are obese, with the highest rates among adolescents. But the challenge is even more severe in Native communities: among high school students, 14% of American Indian and Alaska Native youth are obese and 17% are overweight, compared to lower rates in their white peers. In some regions, Native childhood obesity climbs above 60%, underscoring how deeply these disparities affect Native children’s health and future.
Obesity in childhood sets the stage for lifelong health challenges. Nearly 28% of U.S. adolescents already have prediabetes, and Native youth face the highest rates of type 2 diabetes of any group. Native adults are 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed and 1.6 times more likely to die from diabetes compared to white adults. Beyond diabetes, children with obesity are at higher risk for asthma, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and other preventable conditions—and families face higher medical costs. Without early intervention, today’s childhood crisis becomes tomorrow’s adult health emergency.
Our mission is to empower Native youth with healthy habits, raise awareness about changing food traditions, and build strong communities rooted in culture, resilience, and wellness.
EDUCATION
We partner with local school to host cooking classes designed to reconnect children with Indigenous food. Through hands-on cooking classes and culturally rooted nutrition programs, we give kids the skills, confidence, and joy to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. By starting early, we can reverse the trend and ensure Native children grow up stronger, healthier, and full of possibility.
AWARENESS
We believe creating change starts with awareness. Our work not only equips children with healthy skills, but also sparks conversations across communities about food, culture, and health. To deepen this dialogue, we’ve interviewed Native chefs and knowledge keepers who shared their perspectives on how eating habits have shifted in recent generations. Their stories reveal the powerful link between cultural traditions, modern diets, and community health. By amplifying these voices, we honor Native food-ways and inspire new paths toward wellness.
Chef Darryl Montana, Fry Bread Lounge
Chef Nella - Nella's Innovative Kreations
Join us in reclaiming food sovereignty and creating a healthier future for the next generation.