Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Chronic disease is prevalent throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and many of these conditions correlate to unhealthy dietary patterns. Elevated rates of diet-related chronic disease are associated with various socio-economic, behavioral, environmental, and political influences. The present review uses McLeroy's socio-ecological model to examine the impact of dietary patterns on chronic disease risk among Kentuckians at each level: intrapersonal, interpersonal, communal, and public policy. In this review, the researcher evaluates and categorizes how socio-ecological-attributed health disparities contribute to the prevalence of diet-related chronic disease among the Kentucky population. There is a lack of research on the dietary patterns of Kentucky, especially regarding its impact on chronic disease risks. Some studies evaluate rural Kentuckian's dietary patterns, but there is limited research on the dietary patterns of other populations throughout Kentucky. There is a need to fill the gaps in the literature on this topic to examine how one's diet contributes to diet-related chronic disease throughout the Kentucky population. This research can guide nutrition professionals in creating relevant and innovative approaches to enhance dietary behaviors by combatting socio-ecological barriers that elevate Kentuckians' diet-related chronic disease risks.