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Building a healthier Singapore

Singapore — While most of us know that we should eat healthily and exercise more, doing so is sometimes not easy. The National Health Survey 2010 found that 54 per cent of Singaporean residents aged 18 to 69 did not participate in any leisure-time physical activity.

Singapore — While most of us know that we should eat healthily and exercise more, doing so is sometimes not easy. The National Health Survey 2010 found that 54 per cent of Singaporean residents aged 18 to 69 did not participate in any leisure-time physical activity.

The Healthy Living Master Plan (HLMP), which was announced earlier this year, hopes to make healthy living an easy, accessible part of every Singaporean’s daily routine by offering more healthy options near their homes, offices and schools.

By 2020, one in two Singaporeans will be able to access at least three healthier options. This means that in six years, 1 million employees will work in a healthier workplace, and almost all students will be enjoying healthier meal options in their school.

 

Effortless change

 

The main aim is to gently spur Singaporeans into effortlessly changing their lifestyles by making the healthier choice the easier one. For employees, there’s the Healthy Workplace Ecosystem at the Mapletree Business City, featuring running groups, communal activity sessions and a smorgasbord of healthier dining options, including 500-calorie meals.

In the heartlands of Sembawang and Choa Chu Kang, there are Healthy Community Ecosystems, created in collaboration with the Land Transport Authority (LTA), National Parks Board (NParks), Ministry of Education (MOE), Sport Singapore (SS), the People’s Association (PA) and regional health systems. These eco-systems feature healthy “cues” to use the stairs instead of the lift, plus additional healthy food options and group exercise sessions.

For children, 100 mainstream schools and 240 childcare centres have pledged to serve more whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

 

A nudge in the 
right direction

 

By making the healthier option the easier one, it is hoped that Singaporeans will gradually improve their lifestyles, thus reducing their risk of premature death from chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes — typically known as the “Big Three”.

“I feel this is a step in the right direction, educating people yet also making changes in their living environment to ‘nudge’ them into automatically making healthier decisions,” said Dr Kwong Seh Meng, Deputy Head of Medical Operations at the Fullerton 
Healthcare Group. “Hopefully when it is fully implemented, the rates of the ‘Big Three’ (and obesity) will be reduced over the next decade.”

Looking ahead, HPB hopes to extend the reach of the HLMP to more workers, while expanding the Healthy Workplace Ecosystem model to 15 business parks by 2020. Other targets include replicating the Healthy Community Ecosystems in bigger communities, plus expanding dental care to pre-school children.

While the HLMP is ambitious in its scope, there are areas HPB should focus on.

“My personal belief is that more can be done for health education at the school level. For example, the current food pyramid that they teach in school applies to young and growing children, but after puberty and starting work, carbohydrate intake (rice, noodles, bread, wheat, flour, sugars) should be halved,” said Dr Kwong, who hopes that this change will be rolled out in future.

The key question though: Will Singaporeans bite? Even if all the barriers to healthier living are pulled down, it remains to be seen if Singaporeans will choose the healthier route.

After all, a nation that lives and dies on its stomach may not relinquish its greasy hawker delights easily. The proof, as they say, will be in the pudding. Elisabeth Lee

 

CORRECTION: This story originally referred to the Mapletree Business Centre. This is incorrect. It should be the Mapletree Business City. We apologise for the error. This story was updated on July 30 at 11.52am.

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