Media OutReach
Rethinking Obesity: Novo Nordisk’s Latest Initiative Urges Singaporeans to Treat, Not Blame
“Beyond the Scale” focuses on obesity as a chronic disease — urging empathy, early intervention, and evidence-based care.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 June 2025 – Imagine a chronic disease affecting more than 600,000 people 1-3 in Singapore — yet often misunderstood, overlooked, or surrounded by stigma. This is the reality of obesity today. For many, outdated perceptions and delays in care have created barriers to support and treatment. Today, a new initiative is calling for a shift — to change how we think, talk about, and respond to obesity, through a lens of science, empathy, and early intervention.
Breaking the Myths: A Public Health Reframe
“Just eat less.” “Try harder.” “It’s a lifestyle choice.” These are more than just phrases — they reflect a deeper misunderstanding of obesity. Today, a bold new initiative, seeks to challenge those misconceptions and open the door to a more compassionate, evidence-based conversation. “Beyond the Scale” launches across Singapore with a clear and urgent call to focus on obesity as not a failure of willpower, but as a complex, chronic disease. The initiative invites the public to go beyond — beyond stigma, beyond myths, beyond labels — and recognise obesity for what science confirms it to be: a multifactorial health condition that deserves understanding, early intervention, and clinical care.
Led by global healthcare company Novo Nordisk in collaboration with local healthcare professionals and patient advocates, “Beyond the Scale” is a disease awareness initiative aimed at driving a shift in how individuals, communities, and healthcare providers approach obesity management.
“We believe it’s time to shift from blame to understanding,” said General Manager, Mr Vincent Siow of Novo Nordisk Singapore. “Obesity affects 1 out of 9 people in Singapore4, yet it’s still too often seen as a matter of willpower. The reality is that obesity is a complex, chronic disease driven by biology, environment, and unequal access to care.1,5 It’s time we treat it with the seriousness it deserves — and we are proud to lead that conversation and drive meaningful change through the “Beyond the Scale” initiative.
Why This Matters Now
The 2021–2022 National Population Health Survey reveals the highest obesity rate (15%) among adults aged 40 to 49, while 43.3% of residents aged 18 to 74 had abdominal obesity, which increases with age and peaks between 50 to 74 years.6 This is compounded by the fact that perceptions persist about obesity being a personal failing, discouraging individuals from seeking help, delaying diagnosis, and compounding the health burden on families and the healthcare system.
Obesity significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney disease (CKD)7, all of which already place a growing strain on Singapore’s healthcare infrastructure. The economic impact is substantial: in 2019, metabolic-risk related diseases, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, CKD, and cardiovascular conditions, cost Singapore S$2.20 billion.8 Of this, S$642 million were healthcare expenditures8, and excess weight alone accounted for an estimated S$261 million in annual medical and absenteeism costs.9 Without decisive public health action, these obesity-related comorbidities are poised to escalate into a major societal and economic burden.
“This is not just a personal issue — it’s a public health priority,” said Dr Ben Ng, Arden Diabetes & Endocrine Clinic. “We know obesity changes how the body regulates appetite, energy storage, and metabolism. It’s a disease, not a choice. Science supports this — and our response should reflect it.”
The Science Behind the Message
Obesity is not simply about calories in and out. Research confirms it involves neuroendocrine (hormonal), genetic, and psychosocial factors, making it both preventable and treatable10 .
Studies show that in Singapore, weight stigma is often driven by the belief that obesity is a personal failing, lack of willpower, or lifestyle choice leading to delayed treatment, reduced care-seeking, and poorer health outcomes, particularly in managing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and kidney disease.11
Beyond Labels, Toward Lasting Change
“Beyond the Scale” is more than a slogan — it is a call to treat obesity as the complex, chronic disease that it is. To move away from blame, appearance-based judgments, and oversimplified narratives, toward empathy, science, and sustained health. It is an urgent appeal to rethink, retrain, and rehumanise the way we support individuals living with obesity.
“The earlier we intervene, the better the outcomes,” said Dr. Ng. “Obesity is not a character flaw. It’s a disease. And it’s time we responded with the same respect, science, and care we give every other chronic condition.”
“Beyond the Scale” aims to:
- Raise awareness of obesity as a chronic, multifactorial disease.
- Reduce stigma and myths that hinder early care.
- Encourage timely, evidence-based conversations with healthcare professionals.
- Promote empathy and science within the medical community.
- Support patients with tools to take charge of their health.
Singaporeans can participate by:
- Visiting [www.truthaboutweight.sg] for factual resources, use a BMI measurement tool, and locate a nearest weight management healthcare professional.
- Starting honest conversations with GPs, nurses, and pharmacists.
- Sharing content to help dismantle myths and support loved ones on their health journeys.
1. Cuciureanu M, Caratașu CC, Gabrielian L, Frăsinariu OE, Checheriță LE, Trandafir LM, Stanciu GD, Szilagyi A, Pogonea I, Bordeianu G, Soroceanu RP, Andrițoiu CV, Anghel MM, Munteanu D, Cernescu IT, Tamba BI. 360-Degree Perspectives on Obesity. Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Jun 9;59(6):1119. doi: 10.3390/medicina59061119. PMID: 37374323; PMCID: PMC10304508.
2. World Obesity. Retrieved from https://www.worldobesity.org/about/about-obesity/prevalence-of-obesity
3. World Obesity. Retrieved from https://data.worldobesity.org/country/singapore-192/
4. Lee, Y. V., & Tan, N. C. (2014). Obesity in Singapore: An update. The Singapore Family Physician, 40(2), 11–16. https://cfps.org.sg/publications/the-singapore-family-physician/article/71_pdf
5. World Health Organization. (2024). Obesity and overweight.WHO.https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight As accessed on 22nd May 2025.
6. Ministry of Health, Singapore. (2022). National Population Health Survey 2022 Report. https://isomer-user-content.by.gov.sg/3/28c3b8f9-9216-46be-8fc9-b614098666a9/nphs-2022-survey-report_final.pdf
7. Cohen JB, Cohen DL. Cardiovascular and renal effects of weight reduction in obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2015 May;17(5):34. doi: 10.1007/s11906-015-0544-2. PMID: 25833456; PMCID: PMC4427189.
8. Tan, V., Lim, J., Akksilp, K. et al. The societal cost of modifiable risk factors in Singapore. BMC Public Health 23, 1285 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16198-2 (2.2 Billion)
9. Junxing C, Huynh VA, Lamoureux E, Tham KW, Finkelstein EA. Economic burden of excess weight among older adults in Singapore: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2022 Sep 16;12(9):e064357. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064357. PMID: 36113947; PMCID: PMC9486358.
10. Bray GA, Kim KK, Wilding JPH; World Obesity Federation. Obesity: a chronic relapsing progressive disease process. A position statement of the World Obesity Federation. Obes Rev. 2017 Jul;18(7):715-723. doi: 10.1111/obr.12551. Epub 2017 May 10. PMID: 28489290.
11. Goff AJ, Lee Y, Tham KW. Weight bias and stigma in healthcare professionals: a narrative review with a Singapore lens. Singapore Med J. 2023 Mar;64(3):155-162. doi: 10.4103/singaporemedj.SMJ-2022-229. PMID: 36876621; PMCID: PMC10071861.
Hashtag: #NovoNordisk
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About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases built upon our heritage in diabetes. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs around 77,400 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. In Singapore, Novo Nordisk has been present since 1997 and has approximately 100 employees.
“Beyond the Scale” campaign builds on Novo Nordisk’s long-standing commitment to tackling chronic diseases. With over 100 years of experience advancing care for diabetes and more than 25 years of focused obesity research, Novo Nordisk is pioneering the medical management of obesity and the science of the GLP-1 hormone — a naturally occurring signal that regulates appetite and plays a key role in achieving sustained weight loss.
As part of its mission to drive long-term health outcomes, Novo Nordisk is also investing in scalable prevention efforts. Through the Cities for Better Health initiative — a global public-private partnership spanning over 50 cities — Novo Nordisk is working to reduce chronic disease risk in vulnerable urban communities. Its latest programme, the Childhood Obesity Prevention Initiative (COPI), delivers targeted interventions to promote healthier diets and physical activity among children aged 6–13 in underserved areas.
In Singapore and beyond, these initiatives reinforce Novo Nordisk’s holistic approach: treating obesity with medicine and empathy today, while building healthier environments for the next generation.
For more information, visit novonordisk.sg.
Media OutReach
Vinova Recognised by The Straits Times as a Top 100 Fastest-Growing Company for the Third Consecutive Year
This recognition marks the third consecutive year Vinova has been named among Singapore’s fastest-growing companies, following its previous rankings in 2024 and 2025
A Track Record of Consistent Growth
Over the past 15 years, Vinova has earned a strong reputation for digital craftsmanship, delivering high-end mobile and web solutions alongside enterprise-level applications. This sustained growth has been driven by a clear strategic focus, disciplined execution, and a strong commitment to quality.
Our unwavering focus on quality and innovation enables us to serve over 300 clients worldwide. From fast-scaling startups to established Fortune 500 corporations, each benefiting from our dedication to delivering cutting-edge solutions with Singapore-standard excellence.
As we scale, Vinova remains committed to integrating ESG principles into our core operations, striving toward a Net Zero carbon footprint to ensure our innovation contributes to a sustainable future.
“We are honored to be recognized among Singapore’s fastest-growing companies once again in 2026,” said Mike Nguyen, CEO of Vinova. “This achievement belongs to our dedicated team, whose commitment and professionalism continue to drive our growth. We remain focused on delivering Singapore-standard excellence to our clients and partners worldwide.”
Strategic Expansion and Global Presence
In 2024, from our headquarter in Singapore, we took a significant step forward by successfully establishing operations in Thailand, strengthening our presence across the APAC region. At the same time, we are actively expanding our global reach through high-impact strategic partnerships.
These alliances seamlessly combine our signature artisan design standards with large-scale engineering capabilities, while ensuring Vinova continues to lead and innovate at the forefront of the international IT industry.
Hashtag: #Vinova, #Business, #Technology
https://vinova.sg/
https://vn.linkedin.com/company/vinova-sg?trk=ppro_cprof
https://www.facebook.com/vinova.sg
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VINOVA Pte Ltd.
Vinova is a leading digital transformation agency and technology solutions provider based in Singapore. With a focus on crafting beautiful, functional, and impactful digital products, Vinova offers services in UX/UI design, web and mobile application development, and enterprise system integration. Known for its agile methodology and client-centric approach, Vinova helps businesses innovate and excel in the digital age.
At the press conference, it was announced that the Games would feature 14 sports, 15 disciplines, and 63 events, including established Olympic and Asian Games programs like swimming and sailing, as well as emerging sports such as teqball and beach kabaddi.
Eight competition venues (clusters) have been planned to support the event. Five are located along the Sanya Bay — renowned for its “Coconut Dream Promenade,” one is situated alongside the Sanya River, and two are within the Sanya Sports Center. This layout integrates the coastal beauty with the urban landscape. Construction is well underway as scheduled, and all venues are ready to welcome elite athletes from across the Asian continent.
To ensure service support for the Games, the organizing committee has designated 24 official reception hotels, capable of accommodating over 4,000 athletes and team officials. The catering services feature “dining islands” that offer Chinese cuisine, Western-style meals, and authentic Hainan specialties to satisfy the varied culinary preferences of all participating nations and regions.
According to the press conference, the opening and closing ceremonies will be held at Yasha Park within the Tianya Haijiao Scenic Area. By making the sky a backdrop, the sea a setting, and the beach a stage, both ceremonies will blend the beach sports with Hainan’s unique cultural elements. The performances will incorporate the natural beauty of Tianya Haijiao and the captivating local legend of “Luhuitou,” demonstrating the exchange and mutual learning of Asian civilizations in a multidimensional way.
Notably, the medal design for the Sanya Asian Beach Games was officially unveiled on the day. Titled “Tianya Moment,” the medal design draws inspiration from the classic Song Dynasty verse: “As the bright moon rises over the sea, we share this moment from the ends of the earth.” This poetic symbolism extends Sanya’s warm welcome to friends from across Asia. It is reported that a total of 189 medals (63 gold, 6 silver, and 63 bronze) will be awarded during the Games.
In order to foster the deep integration of culture, sports, and tourism, the organizing committee plans to host interactive experiences to promote Hainan’s intangible cultural heritage, Li and Miao ethnic folk performances, and beach concerts in key places such as the Athletes’ Village and the Yasha Park inside the Tianya Haijiao Scenic Area during the event, immersing global visitors in Hainan’s one-of-a-kind cultural charm.
Hainan is fully prepared to embrace the Games as a valuable link to connect the island’s unique tourism offerings. The premium “Competition & Leisure” round-the-island itineraries will invite athletes and visitors to discover Hainan through the Games, allowing them to be immersed in the island’s stunning natural beauty, the wonders of its tropical rainforests, the rich charm of Li and Miao ethnic cultures, and the excitement of duty-free shopping.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
Hainan FTP’s first month of island-wide special customs operations boosts economic vitality, sets global benchmark
Hainan Heren Pearl Co., Ltd., which mainly imports pearls from overseas, has emerged as a direct beneficiary of Hainan FTP policies.
Under the value-added processing policy, the company can sell its high-value products to the mainland duty-free, cutting its overall tax burden from about 52 percent to roughly 26 percent and redirecting the savings into research and development, said Zhang Shizhong, the company’s chairman.
“The FTP holds great promise, with more policy dividends set to be released in the future,” Zhang said.
One notable special customs policy is offering “freer access at the first line,” referring to freer trade between Hainan and areas outside China’s customs borders, and “regulated access at the second line,” which involves applying standard customs controls for goods moving from Hainan to the mainland.
According to Haikou Customs, from Dec. 18, 2025 to the early hours of Jan. 18, 2026, the value of “first line” imported zero-tariff goods was 753 million yuan (about 107 million U.S. dollars); the value of processed and value-added goods sold domestically through the “second line” was about 85.9 million yuan.
In Wanning City, production lines at Chia Tai (Hainan) Xinglong Coffee Industry Development Co., Ltd. are running at full capacity. The company imports green coffee beans from Colombia and processes them in Hainan before shipping the finished products to the mainland, enjoying an 8 percent tariff reduction under the FTP policies.
“After the launch of island-wide special customs operations, Hainan will gradually become a value-added processing center and trade hub with global resource allocation capabilities,” said Ye Jian, the company’s general manager. “Enterprises will not only pass through Hainan, but also be able to put down roots here and create higher value.”
Drawn by the policy incentives, a growing number of companies are choosing to do business in Hainan. The General Administration of Customs said a total of 5,132 new foreign trade enterprises completed registration in Hainan over the past month, an increase in a month roughly equivalent to the total registrations in an entire quarter of 2024.
The total number of registered foreign trade market entities in Hainan has surpassed 100,000, according to official data.
As the policy came into force, major ports across Hainan saw a surge in activity.
Days after Hainan began island-wide special customs operations, a flight from Prague carrying 115 European passengers touched down in the tourist city of Sanya, marking a breakthrough in the high-level opening up of the aviation sector at the Hainan FTP.
The arrival marked the launch of China’s first official passenger route operated under the Seventh Freedom of the Air, which allows foreign carriers to operate flights between two foreign countries without having to land in their home country.
The route is operated by Kazakhstan’s Scat Airlines, with one round-trip scheduled each week.
At Yangpu Port, the largest cargo port in the Hainan FTP, mega-ships berthing in quick succession, gantry cranes operating around the clock, and container trucks moving in tightly coordinated flows have become a routine sight.
“Yangpu will shoulder the role of the main logistics gateway of the Hainan FTP,” said Yang Xiaobin, deputy head of the Transportation, Port and Waterway Bureau of Yangpu Economic Development Zone. “The port aims to build a smart and green international shipping hub and logistics center.”
Container throughput at Yangpu reached 3.31 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2025, up more than 65 percent from a year earlier.
“It is particularly noteworthy that the Hainan FTP launched island-wide special customs operations at a time of intensifying deglobalization and rising global uncertainty,” said Cui Weijie, deputy director of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, a think tank with the Ministry of Commerce.
“It not only demonstrates China’s unwavering commitment to high-standard opening up, but also injects greater certainty and positive momentum into the global economy and international trade cooperation,” Cui said.
Hashtag: #HainanFreeTradePort #HainanFTP #CustomsReform #FreeTradePort #DutyFreeTrade
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