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Ministry of Health
Parliamentary QA

OBESITY RATES AMONG SINGAPORE RESIDENTS BY AGE GROUP AND PATIENT ENROLMENT IN STRUCTURED WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES UNDER HEALTHIER SG

4 November 2026

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1517

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 4 NOVEMBER 2026


Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis

MP for Sengkang GRC


Question No. 2343

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) what is the prevalence of obesity among Singapore residents by 10-year age group; (b) how many patients are currently enrolled in structured weight management programmes at public healthcare institutions and under Healthier SG; and (c) what is the median waiting time to enter such programmes.


Answer

1        Based on the National Population Health Survey 2023/2024, 12.7% of Singapore residents aged 18 to 74 years had obesity, defined as a Body Mass Index of 30 kg/m² or higher.

See prevalence broken down by age below:

Age-group

Obesity Prevalence (%)

18 to 29 years

11.6

30 to 39 years

14.9

40 to 49 years

14.0

50 to 59 years

14.1

60 to 74 years

9.6

2        Structured weight management programmes which provide support such as dietary management, physical activity and behavioural modification are available at public healthcare institutions and in the community. Beyond that, medical and surgical interventions may also be offered for those who are eligible. For those enrolled under Healthier SG, their family doctor will work with them to develop a Health Plan, including referral to these structured weight management programmes, where needed.

3        The Ministry does not have data on the number of patients currently enrolled in these programmes or their median waiting time.  That said, the most effective ways of managing obesity are often diet and exercise, which is accessible to everyone.