<p>Israel is in the midst of a national obesity epidemic, Israeli healthcare workers are warning.</p> <p>“We’re in the midst of a global epidemic that has reached Israel—the obesity epidemic,” said Dr. Oyero, a specialist in family medicine and an obesity doctor at Maccabi Health Services, according to&nbsp;<em>Ynet</em>.</p> <p>“Obesity is a chronic, multi-systemic disease that must be treated professionally since it leads to many illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease and mental and emotional problems,” he said.</p> <p>According to a National Program for Quality Indicators report released on Tuesday, both obesity and smoking are rising in Israel.</p> <p>“The data shows that the epidemic is weakening among the overall population, but we know that those in a low socio-economic group are more exposed to it,” said Oyero.</p>