As the world grows more interconnected, there is no stopping developmental and cultural changes that have made their way to our sunny island. This has resulted in more food choices, various lifestyle options, and a better standard of living all around.
However, such progress does not come without some costs. People are growing comfortable, and as a result, this has led to an increase in obesity rates in Singapore and around the world.
Obesity Rates in Singapore
According to the World Health Organisation’s statistics, the rate of obesity has doubled since 1980. It is not just children we are talking about here, both adults and the elderly are susceptible to obesity as well.
As of 2019 globally, about 39% of adults belonged to the overweight category, with 13% hitting the obese mark. In Singapore, the obesity rate stands at 8.9% for adult Singaporeans aged 18 to 59 years old, while the elderly aged 60 to 74 years old stands at 6.9%.
Differences Between Being Overweight and Obesity
While both conditions are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that impairs health, there are still differences in their measurement using the body mass index (BMI).
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines adults as overweight if their BMI is greater than or equal to 25, while obesity is having a BMI greater than or equal to 30.
For children aged between 5 to 19 years old, overweight is categorised as BMI-for-age greater than 1 standard deviation above the WHO Growth Reference median. Obesity is greater than 2 standard deviations above the WHO Growth Reference median.
With increased body weight, an individual is more at risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular death. It could lead to other medical conditions as a result of that.
Habits to Ward Off Childhood and Adult Obesity
Obesity should not be looked at as a disease, but rather a lifestyle choice. You do retain the power to change things, all you need to do is start! When you make a conscious decision to live well and eat better, you will begin to see positive changes taking place. Give yourself a goal, and work towards it. Here are some useful habits to consider:
Exercise
No matter what shape you are in, active exercise can provide you with plenty of benefits. Start small, walk as much as you can, or take the stairs. Be sure to get regular physical activity throughout the day. Once you are comfortable, you can even start going to the gym or heading outdoors. Every little bit helps!
Nutrition
Looking after what you eat is vitally important as well. Cut down on sugar, fat, and salt. Consider adding more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your diet. Eating in moderation, plus healthy meals can go a long way in helping you ward off being overweight or falling into obesity. Drink plenty of water as well.
Mental Wellbeing
Perhaps most important of all, do not give up. The journey to being healthy may be tough, but you are already doing the best thing by starting. Surround yourself with positive reinforcement from friends and family, learn more about what you eat, and pat yourself on the back for a job well done each and every step of the way. This is a journey, not a sprint, you will be fine.
The JagaPros Are Here To Help
Everyone is together on the journey to healthiness when faced with obesity in Singapore.
Don’t feel as if you are alone in your journey towards healthy weight loss. If you know of a loved one who might require some help, do not fret. With Jaga-Me’s home care services, you can rely on us and our healthcare assistants to provide your loved ones with the encouragement and care needed to get them back on the right track.
For more information on acquiring support for loved ones, read more here.
Find out more about Jaga-Me and our services here.
