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obesity

Prof. Iris Shai of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, dean of the School of Sustainability at Reichman University, and an adjunct professor at Harvard University, left (courtesy Nir Slakman), and Dr. Dafna Pachter, from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. (Courtesy)
May 20, 2026, 3:18 pm
Reducing deep stomach fat can improve your brain function, Israeli scientists find
Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Leipzig and Harvard, say visceral fat reduction even for 18 months can decrease cognitive deterioration 5-10 years later
By Diana Bletter
Illustrative photo of a person standing on a scale. (Richard Villalon/iStock)
May 7, 2026, 1:22 pm
Over half of Israeli adults are overweight or obese, Knesset Health Committee told
31.4% of 7th graders overweight; officials blame high cost of medications, inadequate health services in low-income areas, lack of accessible educational materials in Arab, Ethiopian sectors
By Diana Bletter
Prof. Joseph (Yossi) Tam of the Tam Lab at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's School of Pharmacy in the Faculty of Medicine. (Courtesy/Tom Barnea)
March 6, 2026, 8:29 am
Israeli researchers find cannabis compounds could lead to 1st drug for fatty liver disease
As 1 out of every 3 adults worldwide suffers from the condition, Hebrew University scientists use non-psychoactive substances to change how the organ manages energy and cleans itself
By Diana Bletter
MD-PhD candidate Alon Zemer, left, and Dr. Alexandra Tsitrina of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. (Courtesy)
November 28, 2025, 8:06 pm
Dieting in middle age may harm the brain, Israeli researchers warn
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev scientists find middle-aged mice who lost weight in peer-reviewed study were prone to inflammation linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s
By Diana Bletter
In this April 18, 2017, file photo, a woman with Type 2 diabetes prepares to inject herself with insulin at her home in Las Vegas. (AP/John Locher)
October 26, 2025, 2:07 pm
Type 2 diabetes patients more likely to develop schizophrenia, Israeli researchers find
In first study of its kind, scientists in Haifa and New York use health organization data to show that adult-onset diabetes sufferers have a 50% higher risk of schizophrenia late in life
By Diana Bletter
Ran Hirsch's diabetic daughter, then 8, was the impetus for the launch of Eatsane and its line of mainstream products that are safe for her to eat, such as low-carb pizza crusts found at Israeli branches of Papa John's Pizza. (courtesy)
July 26, 2025, 9:00 am
Israeli papa’s food-tech startup brings low-carb pizza to diabetics like his daughter
After Ran Hirsch’s daughter was diagnosed with diabetes, he partnered with her endocrinologist to create Eatsane, a successful startup making healthy versions of family faves
By Sharon Wrobel
Illustrative: Woman holds up a dosage of Wegovy, a drug used for weight loss, in Front Royal, Virginia, March 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)
May 3, 2024, 9:04 pm
Weight loss drug Wegovy arrives in Israel, ending off-label use of Ozempic
With the drug purchased privately and often requiring injections of increasing doses, users face high ongoing monthly prices
By Renee Ghert-Zand
Illustrative: Feet on a scale (Tero Vesalainen; iStock by Getty Images)
July 21, 2023, 11:09 am
Tel Aviv University study argues third of normal-weight Israelis are secretly obese
Researchers urge doctors to use overall body fat composition, rather than body mass index, to more accurately determine patients’ health risks
By Renee Ghert-Zand
Illustration of the human microbiome. (Design Cells via iStock by Getty Images)
April 17, 2023, 4:41 pm
Hangry bacteria in gut microbiome linked to chronic disease
Bacteria living in our digestive tracts remain hungry for critical nutrients missing in the American diet
By Christopher Damman
Illustrative: An elderly man sits next to a soda-vending machine selling Coca-Cola in the Old City of Jerusalem. (Yossi Zamir/Flash 90)
February 2, 2023, 4:30 pm
Nixing sugar tax, Israeli government dealt ‘grievous blow to health’ – world experts
Responding to abolition of tariff on sweetened soft drinks, global scholars also argue move ‘seriously tarnishes Israel’s international standing’ in medical community
By Nathan Jeffay
A woman undergoing a dental checkup (shironosov via iStock by Getty Images)
January 24, 2023, 11:10 am
Tooth decay more widespread among obese and underweight, huge Israeli study finds
Researchers say study based on 66,790 soldiers should prompt vigilance, shape policy; low or high BMI can be tied to socioeconomic status, which may also impact dental health
By Nathan Jeffay
File: Coca Cola beverages on sale in Israel (Nati Shohat/Flash90)
January 5, 2023, 5:56 pm
Backlash from top international obesity experts after Israel scraps soft drink tax
Specialists say ‘science is clear’ on sweetened drinks, urge rethink; Israeli scholar claims canceling tax is ‘an act of public health malpractice and an outrage’
By Nathan Jeffay
Illustrative photo of a woman on a scale. (Shutterstock)
October 27, 2022, 4:52 am
Fat is the final frontier when it comes to full inclusion in the Jewish community
Fat Torah organization aims to end weight stigmas and fatphobia by ‘connecting with sacred text, tradition, and spirituality that fosters body liberation for people of all sizes’
By Renee Ghert-Zand
The late Israeli TikTok Star Idan Ohayon poses for a photo he posted on his Facebook page on July 6, 2019. (Idan Ohayon/Facebook)
September 9, 2022, 2:56 am
Israeli TikTok star who rose to fame creating content mocking own obesity dies at 28
Family of Idan Ohayon, who had hundreds of thousands of social media followers, says cause of his sudden death was health-related, without elaborating
By ToI Staff
Iraqi actress Enas Taleb, July 2022. (Ammar Albadri/Photo provided by Enas Taleb via AP)
August 17, 2022, 11:58 am
Economist article on ‘fat’ Arab women panned as misogynistic, body-shaming
Iraqi actress Enas Taleb sues UK magazine for defamation, as controversial piece renews discussion of body image, Western beauty standards in conservative societies
By Isabel Debre and MAGGIE HYDE
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