I believe we need to talk about obesity in Singapore without blame, shame, or panic. The numbers are moving in the wrong direction, but treating people as if they simply lack discipline will not solve the problem.
According to the Ministry of Health’s National Population Health Survey 2024, the proportion of residents aged 18 to 74 classified as obese rose from 10.5 per cent in 2019 to 2020, to 12.7 per cent in 2023 to 2024. The proportion with a body mass index of 27.5 or higher, a level associated with greater chronic disease risk among Asian populations, reached 22.8 per cent.
That means this is no longer an issue affecting a small group of people. It is a national health concern connected to the way many of us now live, eat, work, rest, and manage stress.
Obesity is also more complicated than eating too much or exercising too little. Medical experts interviewed by CNA described it as a complex chronic disease influenced by metabolism, genetics, sleep, stress, childhood habits, physical activity, and the environments in which people make daily decisions. Obesity is associated with more than 230 medical conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnoea, and fatty liver disease.
I do not think the answer is to reject Singapore’s food culture or expect everyone to survive on salads. Hawker food can still be part of a healthier lifestyle. We can ask for less rice or noodles, choose steamed or grilled dishes more often, add vegetables, remove poultry skin, request less gravy, and replace sweetened drinks with water or unsweetened tea.
These adjustments may appear small, but they become powerful when repeated.
Movement also needs to fit into ordinary Singaporean life. A workout is useful, but it is not the only option. Walking to the next MRT station, taking the stairs, doing strength exercises at home, visiting a park connector, or joining a community fitness programme all count. MOH reported that 84.7 per cent of residents achieved sufficient total physical activity in 2024, yet obesity still increased. This reminds me that activity matters, but food quality, portions, sleep, stress, and medical factors matter too.
We should also make health checks normal. Under Healthier SG, eligible Singaporeans can work with an enrolled family doctor on preventive care and personalised weight-management support. People who have repeatedly struggled to lose weight should not assume they have failed. They may need guidance from a doctor, dietitian, physiotherapist, psychologist, or another qualified professional.
Most importantly, we need to stop treating weight as a measure of character. Shame often pushes people away from exercise, healthcare, and supportive conversations. Respect makes it easier to ask for help and build habits that last.
Singapore’s rising obesity rate is serious, but it is not irreversible. I believe progress begins when healthier food becomes easier to choose, movement becomes part of daily life, and professional support becomes something we use without embarrassment.
“Better health is built through support and consistency, not judgment and punishment.”
Visit Healthy Food Guide for practical ideas that can help you eat well, stay active, and build healthier habits in Singapore.
