Israeli military conflicts have had significant impacts on population health behaviours, including nutrition, physical activity, smoking, and sleep, according to new research from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
The study was conducted by a team from the “For a Change” Lab at the Federmann School of Public Policy and Governance, led by Dr Roni Lotan and Professor Eyal Peer, together with researcher Dana Roll.
Physical Activity and Sleep
The most significant finding was a sharp decline in physical activity. Nearly two-thirds of respondents reported a decrease in their daily step count, averaging about 30% fewer steps compared to the pre-war period, while 57% reported reduced engagement in aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility workouts. Separately, 60% reported reduced sleep duration, with an average decline of 13.4%.
Reduced sleep was associated with both increased consumption of ultra-processed foods and decreased physical activity, suggesting that those who slept less experienced greater deterioration across dietary and exercise habits alike.
Diet and Alcohol
The study also recorded a marked increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods such as snacks, sweets, and pastries. Alcohol consumption rose by an average of 31%, though only 18.1% of respondents reported drinking more.
Notably, no association was found between decreased fruit and vegetable intake and increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, suggesting the rise in processed food did not come at the expense of healthier options but reflected an overall increase in food intake. Women reported a more pronounced decrease in fruit and vegetable consumption and a greater increase in ultra-processed food intake compared to men.
Role of air raid alarms
The frequency of air raid alarms emerged as a significant factor. Higher alarm exposure was associated with greater reductions in sleep and daily step count among adults.
Impact on children
Among the 206 participants who were parents of children aged 2–10, the most striking finding was a substantial increase in screen time, reported by 85%. More than half of parents (56.6%) reported increased consumption of snacks, sweets, and pastries among their children; 48% reported increased intake of fast food; and 45% reported higher consumption of sugary drinks. Additionally, 52% of parents reported reduced physical activity among their children, and 41% reported decreased sleep.
These behavioural changes tended to cluster. Increased screen time was associated with higher consumption of unhealthy fast food, salty snacks, and sugary drinks, as well as reduced physical activity. Decreased physical activity, in turn, was linked to reduced sleep, suggesting the war led to a simultaneous deterioration across multiple health domains in children rather than affecting isolated behaviours.
Higher alarm exposure was also associated with reduced sleep and increased screen time in children. Parents of children up to age 10 reported smaller increases in alcohol intake compared to those without young children, suggesting that having young children may act as a protective factor against parental alcohol consumption.
Call for intervention
The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted health interventions during emergencies. According to Dr Lotan, an epidemiologist and clinical dietitian specialising in behavioural health, “it is essential to design environments and solutions that support the maintenance of healthy routines under stress and uncertainty. These may include facilitating access to home-based physical activity, shaping healthier family food environments, and supporting parents in maintaining structured daily routines for their children.”
Methodology and next steps
The study surveyed 485 participants from the Jewish population in Israel, aged 20–70 (mean age 42.9; 52.8% women), sampled via iPanel approximately two weeks after the outbreak of the war. Respondents reported on their health habits during the war compared to the two months preceding it. Experts note that the non-peer-reviewed study focuses on self-reported changes rather than clinical outcomes.
A follow-up survey is planned for approximately two weeks after the end of the war to track whether behaviours rebound post-conflict and to provide additional data on population-level health resilience under stress.