One in Five Israeli Children Suffer Obesity Amid Growing National Crisis

Israel is facing a severe obesity epidemic affecting nearly 60% of adults and one in five children aged 6 to 9, with close to a third of the youth classified as overweight. The economic impact is substantial, costing approximately 55.1 billion shekels annually, or 2.9% of GDP, and is projected to worsen by 2030, with obesity rates in adults expected to rise to over 31%, increasing healthcare costs by an additional 34 billion shekels. Health officials and lawmakers have emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive national strategy, including significant budget allocations, increased availability of healthy food, and enhanced physical activity initiatives, to combat the escalating health and economic consequences. Sociocultural factors influence prescription rates of anti-obesity medications (AOMs), which remain low at 0.7% among children with overweight or obesity, with disparities seen by ethnicity, socioeconomic position, and sex. The data underscore both the widespread prevalence and complex drivers of obesity in Israel, highlighting the need for systemic intervention to address this growing public health crisis.