LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB)-- Kentucky Youth Advocates escalated concerns for the state's childhood obesity rates during a news conference Thursday.
The nonprofit released data from its 2025 Kids Count Data Dashboard.
According to the report, nearly one in every five Kentucky children ages 6 to 17 are obese, which is a 270 percent increase to childhood obesity rates from 1970.
KYA research director Karena Cash said after digging, they found that childhood obesity in the state directly relates to food insecurity and poverty.
The data dashboard highlights that in 2023, some 21 percent of children were living in households with a lack of access to food or healthy food options.
Cash said food insecurity for Kentuckians often looks different than food insecurity in other states. She added that its common for parents whose incomes fall below the poverty line to purchase cheaper, processed foods at grocery stores.
"We often see things like parents skipping meals so kids can eat or parents buying the cheapest food at the grocery store, which often is that highly, ultra processed food that’s higher in calories," Cash said.
KYA executive director Dr. Terry Brooks said he would like to see state lawmakers invest more money in food resources and food nutrition programs when putting forth the next budget.
"As we look ahead, the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly is faced with immense budget challenges, yet great opportunities persist to make a real impact on the daily lives of Kentucky kids and their families," Brooks wrote in a press release.
He said communities need support, affirming that food insecurity is a solvable issue in the state. Brooks suggested that state leaders can prioritize funding programs like SNAP, Kentucky Double Dollars, and more.
He said although parents should make thoughtful decisions when providing nutrition for their children, the lack of access to healthy food in low-income communities easily stands in the way.
"The reason for that is not poor parenting. It’s that in poor neighborhoods, go try to find fresh produce healthy meats. You can’t do it," Brooks said.
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