Children below Age 18 who Are Diagnosed with Obesity-related Illnesses

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Health (a) how many children below 18 years of age are currently diagnosed with obesity-related illnesses; (b) whether there are adequate medical resources to cater to their healthcare needs; and (c) what is being done to prevent and reduce obesity among children.

Obesity is a risk factor for developing medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and Type-2 diabetes mellitus. Childhood obesity often persists into adulthood, when it can cause adverse health effects.

Overweight children at the upper end of the cohort weight range are at higher risk of developing such medical conditions earlier. About 13% of our children aged 6-18 are overweight. Among the higher risk overweight1 students screened at the Health Promotion Board's Student Health Centre (HPB SHC) in 2016, less than 2% had impaired fasting blood glucose, and about one in three had elevated blood pressure or elevated blood lipids.

To strengthen intervention early through lifestyle management, higher risk overweight children are referred by schools to the HPB SHC for assessment and lifestyle coaching. Those found to have an obesity-related medical condition are referred for specialist care at public sector hospitals.

HPB works with schools to increase opportunities for physical activity and make healthier meals more accessible for students. Student Health Advisors are also deployed to secondary schools to provide counselling to help overweight students change unhealthy behaviours.

To make healthy living a norm, NurtureSG also published a mini booklet on "Five Habit Hacks for a Healthier Child" to educate and empower parents with the skills to improve their child's health. The Ministry of Health and HPB will continue our efforts to foster healthy behaviours in our young to improve their physical well-being.