According to IDF statistics, the number of obese recruits has tripled between 1967 and 2003. The study included 1,140,937 eligible draft age teens aged 17 as they passed through the induction process during the 36-year period of the study. Other factors recorded in the study include country of origin, socio-economic status and education. Inductees with a BMI (body mass index) greater than 30 were classified as obese.

In 1967, the number of inductees classified as obese stood at 1.23% as compared to 3.85% in 2003. The report concludes that in addition to the increase in the number of obese inductees, there is a proportionate increase in diabetes, hypertension and orthopedic problems. The study was conducted in cooperation with the IDF Medical Corps, Bar Ilan University, Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer and the JDC Brookdale Institute. The study was presented at a recent medical conference in Haifa in which it was shown that there is a direct connection between candidates suffering from obesity and lower education and lower socio-economic status.

The report concludes that lower income candidates are unable to purchase healthier more expensive food products, a major contributory factor to overweight and obesity. The report shows a higher incidence of obesity among ashkenazim than sephardim, pointing to the genetic factor as well as eating habits among sephardim which point to a healthier diet.

The report also concludes that an increase in the standard of living, resulting in more cars and televisions, is another factor contributing to obesity since more time is spent sitting around, less activity, and the population ingests more ‘fast food and junk food’.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)