About Obesity
Obesity affects around 11.6% adults in Singapore. It is often poorly misunderstood despite it being a serious and long-term health condition which can impact individuals, families and society in multiple ways.Obesity is a long-term disease with associated health complications
Obesity is a commonly misunderstood and long-term disease that needs to be managed accordingly – it is not a lifestyle choice. Despite efforts to lose weight through watching diet and doing daily exercise, people can still have a hard time losing weight and keeping it off. Science has proven that willpower is far from being the only factor to regulate weight.
This is because obesity is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, lifestyle, environmental factors and even life events. Therefore, watching one’s diet and exercise alone are not always enough for weight loss and to maintain that weight loss.
Did you know that our metabolism rate slows down after weight loss?
The human body adapts to exercises and that same exercise will burn less calories when performed regularly over a period or the body releases strong hunger driving hormone in response to weight loss.
These contribute to weight regain, and the weight yo-yo effect often seen after weight loss.
Despite this, people with obesity rarely seek professional medical help because they believe it is their responsibility alone to manage their weight loss.
Obesity is linked to over 200 other diseases2, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, infertility in women, sleep apnoea and an increased risk of 13 different types of cancers such as liver, kidney and breast.3
More than half of adults with overweight or obesity in Singapore feel weight management is completely their responsibility.4
Obesity is recognised by leading health organisations, including the World Health Organization, as a chronic disease that requires long-term medical follow-up / management.
Factors and causes of obesity
Obesity is influenced by many factors, including physiological, psychological, genetic, environmental and socio-economic factors. Research shows that obesity is not a lifestyle choice but in fact a complex disease. And as with any disease, there’s only so much that one can do with lifestyle changes alone. The truth is our bodies are hard-wired to hang on to those extra calories and store it, because for thousands of years this was a basic survival mechanism.
Better understanding the causes of obesity can help you better treat and manage your weight loss in the long term. Talking with your doctor about your daily habits, medical history and family medical history can help to determine the best weight management options for you.
Stigma and obesity
People living with obesity have to constantly deal with bias, prejudice, criticism or judgement in some form and it can greatly impact their quality of life, confidence, and ability to talk to their family, friends, or a professional who can help manage their weight. As the cause and management of obesity is often greatly misunderstood, it can be seen as self-inflicted and often causing people with obesity to feel as though they are to blame or facing stigma, which can have a significant impact on their mental health. This often prevents people from coming forward to seek help for their health.
Stigmatising and negative attitudes can exist in various situations, ranging from inequalities in employment and healthcare settings, to disparities in education. Weight stigma has been shown to increase the likelihood of developing mental health conditions such as depression and low self-esteem, which are related to poor health-related quality of life.
1 in 3 has the goal of having more energy and to improve appearance; yet nearly 1 in 3 wouldn’t consider discussing their weight with their doctor.4
