Bnei Brak Leads in Male Obesity, Lowest Smoking Rates
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
A 2025 health report shows Bnei Brak has Israel's highest male obesity rate but lowest smoking rates. Nationally, obesity is rising while smoking declines, though diabetes and antidepressant use are also increasing. In contrast to adult men, Bnei Brak's seven-year-olds have a significantly lower obesity rate than the national average.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Bnei Brak has Israel's highest male obesity rate at 30.7%, according to a 2025 health report.
- The same report shows Bnei Brak has the nation's lowest smoking rates for men and women.
- Nationally, nearly two-thirds of men and over half of women aged 20-64 are overweight or obese.
- Bnei Brak's seven-year-olds have a 4.4% obesity rate, well below the national average of 8.6%.
- Diabetes rates are rising nationally, affecting about 677,000 Israelis, with lower socioeconomic groups hit hardest.
- Antidepressant use increased by 2.6%, with women consuming significantly more than men.
A 2025 health report reveals that Bnei Brak has the highest rate of obesity among adult men in Israel, with 30.7% suffering from the condition. The city also recorded the lowest smoking rates nationwide for both men and women. In contrast, Tel Aviv had the lowest obesity rate among adult men at 15.6%, while Bat Yam was identified as the "smoking capital" with over 33% of men smoking.
The report, compiled by the National Institute for Health Policy Research based on health fund data, presents a mixed public health picture for Israel. While smoking rates are declining nationally to 19.1% for ages 16-74, overweight and obesity are on the rise. Nationally, nearly two-thirds of men (62.8%) and over half of women (57.6%) aged 20-64 are overweight or obese.
However, the report highlights a more positive trend for Bnei Brak regarding childhood obesity. Seven-year-olds in the city have an obesity rate of only 4.4%, significantly lower than the national average of 8.6% and the highest rate of 13.1% in Ashkelon. The general ultra-Orthodox sector reported a 5.8% childhood obesity rate.
Beyond weight and smoking, the report flagged a concerning increase in diabetes, affecting an additional 36,000 Israelis in one year, bringing the total to approximately 677,000 (11% of the adult population), with lower socioeconomic groups disproportionately affected. Antidepressant consumption also rose by 2.6% to 703 purchases per 1,000 residents, with women consuming nearly 1.5 times more than men. Furthermore, initial dental check-up data for children revealed deep socioeconomic disparities, with particularly low examination rates among lower socioeconomic classes.
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