Happy Holidays! To all of our listeners in the U.S., sending warm thoughts your way to those in the path of Elliott, the arctic storm wreaking havoc across the country.

On today's show, Adrian and Ethan talk about the food crisis and the growing number facing hunger.

The number of those facing acute food insecurity soared - from 135 million to 345 million - since 2019. Today, as many as 828 million people go to bed hungry every night. A total of 49 million people in 49 countries are teetering on the edge of famine.

The world is facing a food crisis of unprecedented proportions, the largest in modern history.

Hunger is not only more common around the world but may also be more visible around your own neighborhood corner.

45% of all deaths of children under 5 are due to the lack of food - that’s almost 3 million lives a year. 16.7% of all children in the U.S. do not know where their next meal is coming from.

Food banks are trying to meet these needs while coping with decreasing donations and, in some cases, increased awareness among people who need help that food banks are an option.

According to Feeding America, more than 53 million people turned to food banks, food pantries and meal programs for help in 2021, one-third more than prior to the pandemic.

Every day we are presented with never-ending food options - many high in sugar, fat, and sodium. There seems to be a fast food restaurant on every corner, and you can get just about anything delivered to your door. With easy access to quick food options, we are seeing a staggering increase in the rates of childhood obesity. Obesity is generally preventable.

Childhood obesity is associated with a higher chance of premature death and disability in adulthood.