The “battle of sexes” construct among ultra-Orthodox Jews: what is the optimal number of children for a minimal BMI?

Abstract

Obesity is a prominent risk factor for an extensive series of health problems as well as for higher mortality rates. This study demonstrates a conflict of interest (“battle of sexes” construct) between ultra-Orthodox Jewish (UO) females and males. The study is based on a panel dataset of up to four measured points in time (2012, 2013, 2014–2015, and 2016) generated by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (ICBS). Based on this dataset, the methodology of the random-effect probit binary model is employed, where the dependent variable measures the projected probability of type I obesity. According to the outcomes obtained, this conflict of interest is unique to the UO group. While projected body mass index (BMI = weight÷height2, where weight is measured in kilograms, and height in meters), and likelihood of type I obesity (BMI ≥ 30), among UO females rises with the number of children, the opposite trend occurs for UO males. Consequently, in terms of likelihood to suffer from type I obesity as a prominent risk factor for health, an increase in the number of children tends to be detrimental to the health of UO females and beneficial to the health of the UO male. Research findings thus stress the importance of cultural differences among different religious groups and the need for cultural and gender-oriented health policies.