TRACKING OF ANNUAL MALNUTRITION RATES AMONG SENIORS FOR PAST FIVE YEARS

NOTICE PAPER NO. 229

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 4 NOVEMBER 2025

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Ms Mariam Jaafar

MP for Sembawang GRC

Question No. 814

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in light of recent reports on a rise in malnutrition among older Singaporeans (a) to what extent are social isolation, mental health, and financial constraints contributing factors to such under-nutrition; and (b) how is the Ministry coordinating efforts with community partners to address these factors alongside medical interventions.

NOTICE PAPER NO. 235

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 5 NOVEMBER 2025

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Dr Charlene Chen

MP for Tampines GRC

Question No. 835

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) what proportion of seniors in the community have been screened or flagged for malnutrition in the past two years; and (b) what steps are being taken to ensure systematic screening, early intervention and equitable access to nutrition support for vulnerable seniors.

NOTICE PAPER NO. 243

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 5 NOVEMBER 2025

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Yip Hon Weng

MP for Yio Chu Kang

Question No. 866

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in respect of rising malnutrition rates among seniors (a) whether the Ministry will introduce nutritional indicators for protein content at hawker centres and coffeeshops; (b) whether personalised nutrition advice is provided to seniors as part of Healthier SG; and (c) what is the Ministry's strategy to ensure affordable, easy-to-eat protein sources are readily accessible for low-income seniors.

NOTICE PAPER NO. 216

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 7 NOVEMBER 2025

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin

MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC

Question No. 779

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) how does the EatWise SG initiative complement other programmes, such as Healthier SG and Age Well SG; (b) how can members of the public find out more or participate in the initiative; and (c) which community care providers have been trained to recognise early signs of malnutrition and provide basic support under this initiative.

NOTICE PAPER NO. 230

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 4 NOVEMBER 2025 

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye

MP for Radin Mas

Question No. 578

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry tracks the prevalence of malnutrition among seniors in Singapore; and (b) if so, whether the Ministry can provide the annual malnutrition rate among seniors for the past five years.

NOTICE PAPER NO. 235

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 5 NOVEMBER 2025

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Dr Charlene Chen

MP for Tampines GRC

Question No. 586

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) what outcomes have been observed from the rollout of the EatWise SG programme and how these are measured; and (b) how else does the Ministry ensure that vulnerable seniors, such as those living alone, with mobility challenges or lower incomes, have equitable access to nutrition support and subsidised meal plans.

Answer

1            My response will also address the Parliamentary Question for written answer raised by Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye scheduled for today's sitting and similar questions  raised by Dr Charlene Chen, Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin and Mr Yip Hon Weng scheduled for subsequent sittings.

2            Malnutrition of seniors is not a new issue. The Health Promotion Board (HPB) monitors the energy and nutrition intake of Singapore adults' diets through the National Nutrition Survey (NNS). Based on the 2019 and 2022 surveys, the rates have remained stable with about 1 in 4 older adults (50-69 years) not meeting their minimum caloric requirement, and about 1 in 2 not meeting the recommended protein intake. 

3            Diet is a critical aspect of population health. There are many risk factors for malnutrition including social isolation and low health literacy. This is why MOH is addressing them comprehensively through national programmes such as Healthier SG and Age Well SG.

4            First, MOH and HPB help seniors to understand the importance of a healthy diet through community-based education efforts. For example, HPB's Steady Lah programme incorporates interactive activities to educate seniors about healthy balanced diet. 

5            Second, primary care and community partners identify at-risk seniors and provide early intervention. Dietary advice will also be provided during the Healthier SG Health Plan and Nurse Counselling sessions. EatWise SG is an effort to enhance the capability of community partners and primary care physicians. MOH will monitor the outcomes of the capability development efforts such as patient satisfaction with nutrition care.

6            Thirdly, the Government also provides support to ensure that seniors, including those with low income, have access to healthy food. For example, the Community Development Council (CDC) Voucher Scheme supports Singaporeans in managing daily expenses, such as food costs. HPB also works with supermarket chains to increase the variety of healthier house brand protein sources, which are typically more affordable. HPB also partners food businesses to make healthier meals accessible across different settings and budgets, as well as make healthier choices more obvious.

7            Vulnerable seniors, such as those with mobility challenges, and those who are unable to prepare or buy their own meals safely, can also receive subsidised, nutritious, home-delivered meals under the Meals-on-Wheels (MOW) service.

8            We seek the support of all community partners and grassroots in these initiatives to improve nutrition support for seniors. Members of the public do not need to sign up to participate in EatWise SG. Instead, they may contact their Healthier SG clinics for nutrition advice or to find out more about available nutrition care programmes at Active Ageing Centres (AACs).

 [AR1]Q35 written repy