Achieving healthy nutrition and fitness levels are an integral role in health maintenance and even in disease management, however, complex barriers hinder their adoption globally. These barriers have profound consequences, with an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide that is linked to inadequate access to quality nutrition and physical activity. Societal evolution has led to a rise in the consumption of ultra-processed foods, particularly in the United States and rapidly increasing in low- and middle-income countries. Socioeconomic policies have not only influenced individual behaviors but also limited healthy choices, contributing to malnourishment which encompasses the spectrum from undernutrition to obesity. These policies reflect not only disparities within social determinants of health but also exacerbate the disparate impact of global phenomena including climate change. Such phenomena compromise the availability of fresh nutrients, the feasibility of physical fitness, and increase the risk of consumption of more harmful and toxic products, further contributing to the challenges patients face in attaining healthy lifestyles. Beyond corrective policy measures that include incentives, subsidies, innovative urban design, the role of primary health care providers in navigating barriers to healthy nutrition and fitness is critical and includes practice changes, education, and multi-disciplinary approaches.