1.3 Million Israeli Adults Live With Obesity, Expert Warns
Translated & summarized from TheMarker by baba
Approximately 1.3 million adults in Israel, or 26% of the population, are living with obesity, a chronic disease that significantly increases the risk of other illnesses, according to Professor Dror Dicker. Research shows a high risk of diabetes for obese youth, and treatment discontinuation in Israel is a major concern, with only 35% of patients continuing medication after a year. Dicker advocates for a comprehensive approach to managing obesity that includes AI, emotional intelligence, and human interaction.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- About 1.3 million adults in Israel, 26% of the population, live with obesity.
- Obesity in youth significantly increases the risk of developing diabetes later in life.
- Only 35% of Israelis continue obesity medication treatment after one year.
- Professor Dror Dicker stated obesity is a chronic disease requiring ongoing management.
- AI and emotional intelligence are crucial for effective obesity treatment, Dicker said.
Approximately 26% of Israel's adult population, totaling about 1.3 million people, are living with obesity, according to Professor Dror Dicker. Speaking at TheMarker Labels Obesity Conference, Dicker, who heads internal medicine and the obesity treatment center at Rabin Medical Center, emphasized that obesity is a chronic disease requiring ongoing management. He highlighted research tracking 57 million adolescents over decades, which indicated a significant risk of illness for those who were obese in their youth. For instance, a nine-year study on insulin sensitivity in the brain showed that only individuals with brain insulin sensitivity lost weight despite identical lifestyle changes. Another study following 57 million teenagers from age 17 found that obese boys had a 45-fold increased risk of developing diabetes by age 25, while obese girls had a 27-fold increased risk. Dicker also pointed to the high rate of treatment discontinuation in Israel, with only 35% of patients continuing medication after one year, despite evidence that stopping treatment increases risks. He noted that a three-year study on obesity medication showed a 20% reduction in mortality, but discontinuing the drug was linked to a rise in risk, from 4% after six months to 14% and 22% with longer breaks. Dicker suggested that artificial intelligence (AI) can aid in managing the disease but cannot replace human judgment and monitoring. He also stressed the importance of emotional intelligence from both healthcare providers and patients, citing Israeli research that found disrespectful attitudes and stigma can deter individuals from seeking medical care. Ultimately, he concluded that effective obesity treatment requires a combination of physical care, emotional support, judicious use of technology, and human interaction.
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