Obesity is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. In Israel, the prevalence of obesity and diabetes among Arab females is 2 and 2.8 times higher than Jewish females, respectively. The economic impact of obesity and overweight in terms of illness, disease and lost productivity is estimated to amount to 2-9% of the national health budget in countries with high GDP. Diabetics have medical expenditure that is 2.4 times higher than non diabetics per capita.