A systematic approach to combating obesity, based on 2020 targets: A national program

Chronic diseases are the main cause of death in Israel, contributing to approximately 65% of mortality. With the aim of reducing the levels of morbidity and mortality related to obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, the Ministries of Health, Culture and Sport and Education initiated a national plan for the promotion of an active and healthy lifestyle. Strategies: • Coordinating public policy; • Designing programs to encourage physical activity and balanced nutrition by the healthcare and education systems, municipalities and workplaces by education, legislation and regulatory amendments, devising economic incentives and by establishing an environmental infrastructure; • Promoting food consumption in accordance with expert recommendations by means of public education, changes in food labeling, and directives to the food manufacturing industry; • Developing for the general population and identified risk groups an apparatus providing individual advice on balanced nutrition, the prevention and treatment of obesity, and increasing physical activity; • Monitoring and evaluation. The National Plan aims to reach four main objectives by 2020. First, to raise the percentage of persons engaging in physical activity: children and adolescents from 42% to 59%; adults from 29% to 38%; 65+ from 41% to 52. Second, to decrease the percentage of persons with obesity (BMI > 30): children and adolescents, by 20%; adults in the Arab sector, by 45%; adults in the Jewish sector, by 33%. Third, to decrease the frequency of hypertension from 20% to 18%. Finally, the plan aims to decrease the rate of daily salt consumption from 9g to 6g.