Tel Aviv, May 14 -- Israel is grappling with a growing obesity epidemic, with nearly one in five children aged 6-9 suffering from obesity and close to a third of the country's youth classified as overweight according to data presented to the Knesset Health Committee on Wednesday.

Health officials and lawmakers warned of escalating health and economic consequences unless immediate action is taken.

"The state must allocate significant budgetary resources -- not just as a response, but as a necessary step to eradicate the phenomenon and reduce the enormous economic damage it causes," said committee chairman MK Yoni Mashriki (Shas). "Given the depth of the problem and its severe consequences, the Health Committee will continue to closely mo...