Obesity Epidemic Grows in Israel, Experts Call for Action
Translated & summarized from TheMarker by baba
Nearly 60% of Israeli adults are overweight or obese, with childhood rates also rising, according to Professor Itamar Raz. The economic cost is estimated at NIS 20-55 billion annually, and previous public health initiatives have had limited success. Raz proposed leveraging AI to improve access to care, especially in peripheral areas, and called for renewed efforts including taxes on sugary drinks and restrictions on unhealthy food advertising. He also emphasized the role of family medicine in managing this chronic disease.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Nearly 60% of Israeli adults are overweight or obese, with childhood rates also rising significantly.
- The economic cost of obesity in Israel is estimated between NIS 20 and 55 billion annually.
- Previous public health initiatives like food labeling and taxes on sugary drinks have had mixed success.
- Professor Itamar Raz suggested artificial intelligence could help bridge healthcare gaps between central Israel and the periphery.
- Raz called for a renewed action plan including taxes on sugary drinks and restrictions on unhealthy food advertising.
- Maintaining weight loss is a major challenge, with about 90% regaining weight within two years.
Nearly 60% of Israeli adults are overweight or obese, with alarming rates beginning in childhood, according to Professor Itamar Raz, an expert in internal medicine, diabetes, and obesity. Speaking at TheMarker Labels Obesity Conference, Raz highlighted that by 2025, obesity rates among seventh graders in Kiryat Malachi and Kiryat Gat reached approximately 15%, significantly higher than the 2%-3% seen in Tel Aviv, Herzliya, and Ra'anana. He also noted disparities in healthcare access, with fewer doctors and hospital beds available in the northern and southern regions.
The economic cost of obesity in Israel is estimated at NIS 20-55 billion annually. Raz emphasized that obesity is a chronic disease that can damage multiple bodily systems, necessitating a shift in perception. Previous attempts to combat obesity, such as food labeling, taxes on sugary drinks, and health education in schools, have seen mixed results, with some initiatives canceled or incomplete.
Raz pointed out the difficulty in maintaining weight loss, stating that about 90% of individuals who lose weight regain it within two years. While new medications can lead to significant weight loss, their cost and the need for long-term adherence may create accessibility issues and disparities. He stated that approximately 27% of Israelis, or 2.5 million people, suffer from obesity, posing a challenge for widespread treatment.
Artificial intelligence (AI) could play a role in bridging the gap between central Israel and the periphery by improving access to medical knowledge and tools, Raz suggested. AI-based tools have shown potential in enhancing treatment and reducing hospitalizations, and could provide peripheral medical teams with advanced resources. However, he cautioned against the risks of "fake news" and medical errors from unverified information.
Raz called for a concrete action plan, including reinstating the sugary drink tax, restricting advertising for unhealthy foods, monitoring nutrition and physical activity in schools, promoting healthy lifestyles, improving access to healthy food, and expanding access to diagnostics, treatments, and multidisciplinary clinics, particularly in the periphery. He also stressed the importance of family medicine in managing obesity through diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and ensuring continuity of care.
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