Gaining weight. Another issue for northerners to deal with
Photo: Niv Calderon
War damages: Northerners gain weight
According to ICBS poll, 17 percent of northern Israel residents put on weight during war
War's over, time for a diet? In addition to the huge wartime financial losses and mental strains, 17 percent of northern Israel residents will need to deal with yet another problem – weight gains resulting from a month of anxiety and uncertainty.
According to a poll, conducted by the Shiluv research institute for the Israeli Center for Bariatric Surgery (ICBS), among 505 Israelis across the country, almost one-fifth of north Israel residents reported putting on weight during the war. Meanwhile, residents of other regions in Israel were affected to a much lesser extent, with only 4-5 percent of residents reporting weight gains.
The survey showed that the most susceptible group to gaining weight was Israelis in their 40s (12 percent of respondents in this age group across the country reported weight gains.). The least influenced group was the 18-29 category, where only 5 percent of respondents across the country put on weight.
12 percent of women lost weight during war
The overall data showed about 8 percent of the Jewish adult population gained weight during the war. The average weight gain during the 33 days of fighting was 2.91 kilograms (approximately 6 pounds.)
However, the anxiety and uncertainly that led to overeating among some Israelis apparently had the opposite effect on others. The survey showed that 12 percent of Israeli women lost weight during the war.
The most significant weight loss was reported among those 60 and above, with 13 percent of them saying they lost weight during the fighting. Meanwhile, 12 percent of respondents in their 20s also reported losing weight. However, Israelis in their 30s were almost not affected, with only five percent reporting weight losses.
Overall, the pollsters also noted that almost one third of northern residents saw their weight change during the war.
