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 For many, outdated perceptions and delays in care have created barriers to support and treatment.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
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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
No Judgement, No Awkwardness: More Hongkongers Are Opening Up to AI for Mental Health Support
A newly completed Hong Kong study suggests there may finally be a way to bridge that gap. The AIM Greater China Psychology Research Group has completed a Hong Kong-based study conducted in the 2025–2026 academic year, comparing the effectiveness of human hypnotherapists against AI in delivering hypnotic experience-based stress relief experiences. The findings were striking: a significant proportion of participants felt that both approaches yielded virtually equivalent levels of relaxation — and more than 60% reported preferring their AI session after the fact.
Over 400 Applicants: A Reflection of a Generation in Need of Being Heard
The research team recruited participants experiencing family-related stress via Facebook. Within a short period of the post going live, over 400 individuals voluntarily applied — a figure that speaks not only to the pervasiveness of stress in modern life, but also to a growing willingness among the public to prioritise their own emotional wellbeing and actively seek self-care solutions.
From the applicant pool, 48 participants were randomly selected to take part. Each participant underwent two separate hypnotic experience stress relief audio sessions, each lasting approximately one hour — one recorded by a human hypnotherapist, and one fully generated by AI, including both the script and voice. Participants then compared their personal experiences of both sessions.
What Humans Can Do, AI Can Do Too
In the most critical area of comparison — stress relief effectiveness — the largest single group of participants (41.7%) rated the AI and human sessions as equally effective. On a scoring basis, the AI hypnotic experience averaged approximately 2.92 points, compared to 2.58 points for the human session — with AI coming out marginally ahead.
The study further found that nearly 90% of participants indicated they would enjoy a session if it genuinely helped them feel relaxed. In other words, what people truly care about is whether it works — not whether the voice behind it belongs to a human or a machine. On this front, AI has passed the test.
Over 60% More Willing to Share Their Feelings with AI
The results around personal preference were perhaps the most eye-opening. When asked which session they enjoyed more, 62.5% of participants chose the AI experience — and among women, that number climbed even higher, to 68.4%.
So what made AI the preferred choice? Researchers believe it comes down to one simple thing: feeling safe. With AI, there is no worry about being judged. No fear of saying the wrong thing. No awkwardness. About 1 in 4 participants said they actually found it easier to talk openly with AI — because it communicates in a way that feels clear, calm, and natural, much like everyday conversation.
The truth is, some things are just easier to say when no one is watching. That is not a flaw in human nature — it is simply how many of us work.
When it came to privacy, the findings were equally reassuring. More than half of all participants said they had no concerns about AI handling their personal information. Only a very small number — just 2.08% — said they felt uncomfortable. This points to a growing sense of trust in AI tools among the general public.
AI Reads the Data; Therapists Read the Person
Beyond the hypnotic experience itself, the local research team also evaluated AI’s capability as an analytical tool — with equally impressive results.
AI was able to rapidly process large volumes of participant responses, objectively assess individual stress levels, and identify underlying patterns. For instance, AI identified that 35% of participants independently expressed a desire for “personal space” or “better soundproofing” in their homes. On the surface, these may seem like trivial lifestyle concerns — yet AI connected this pattern to the reality of Hong Kong residents living in constrained spaces, highlighting a deeper psychological sense of having “nowhere to breathe”. This level of insight would be difficult to uncover through manual review of dozens of questionnaires alone.
AI also observed that many participants habitually occupied the role of “problem-solver” or “mediator” within their households, suppressing their own emotional needs in the process. Researchers noted that this reflects a widely recognised social phenomenon — the pressures faced by eldest daughters and the so-called “sandwich generation,” caught between the responsibilities of caring for ageing parents and raising children. AI’s ability to rapidly identify these hidden emotional burdens allows therapists to bypass lengthy preliminary assessments and focus more swiftly on the core issues that require their attention.
AI Is Here to Help, Not to Take Over
The local research team emphasises that the study was never intended to position AI as a replacement for human therapists. Rather, the aim is to explore how the two can work in tandem. Much like how blood test reports assist physicians in diagnosis, AI can play an analogous supporting role in the mental health field — organising data, identifying patterns, and lowering barriers to seeking help, so that mental health professionals can direct their energy towards the moments that truly require a human touch.
Those who proactively seek psychological support remain a minority, often deterred by the fear of inconvenience, social stigma, or the awkwardness of speaking up. If AI can serve as the bridge that encourages more people to take that first step, that alone may be its most meaningful contribution to society.
Hashtag: #HypnosisInstitute
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Hypnosis Institute
Hypnosis Institute is dedicated to helping people in Hong Kong lead healthier and more fulfilling lives through hypnotic experience. We offer accessible and practical hypnotic experience training programmes designed to integrate hypnotic techniques into everyday life, with a focus on stress management, emotional wellbeing, and personal growth.
Hypnosis Institute is Hong Kong’s only hypnotic experience professional development platform that simultaneously operates a research group, social innovation group, practical training group, crisis psychological support group, charitable initiatives, networking events, therapeutic services, and a comprehensive training pathway.
As the sole Hong Kong chapter of the Association for Integrative Medicine (AIM) in the United States, the sole overseas Hong Kong academy of UK educational institution Study House (Quality Licence Scheme), and the sole specialist hypnotic experience training school in Hong Kong under Cambridge International College in the United Kingdom, Hypnosis Institute provides internationally recognised qualifications that contribute to the advancement of the industry.
Founder Charles Leung is a trainer of trainers in the field of hypnotic experience, and has been specially appointed by the Association for Integrative Medicine as the Chief Instructor for Specialist hypnotic experience in Greater China. He has trained over 1,000 hypnotherapists and instructors, upholding the highest standards of professional development in the mental health field.
The Institute’s programmes integrate a comprehensive range of methodologies, including hypnotic experience combined with MBTI personality profiling, DISC behavioural analysis, mental health coaching, emotional education, and the HiddenMe Cards inner child tool — providing a holistic and personalised approach to hypnotic experience practice. Instructors specialise in paediatric hypnotic experience, Internal Family Systems (including inner child) hypnotic experience, stress and insomnia relief hypnotic experience, interpersonal relationship hypnotic experience, as well as hypnotic experience in reminiscence and palliative care.
Driven by the belief that everyone can harness the power of hypnotic experience to enhance their mental wellbeing, Hypnosis Institute is committed to sharing psychological knowledge and providing professional support in the areas of emotional management, life challenges, and the professional development of the hypnotic experience industry.
Follow us at hypnosisinstitute.com.hk, 
Facebook, 
Instagram and 
YouTube for the latest updates.
Held at deMori @ FCC Signature, the event featured a live platform demonstration, partner showcase, and networking sessions aimed at facilitating engagement between founders, advisors, and investors.
Introducing CapitalOS
CapitalOS, BizPal’s corporate finance platform, was presented through a live demonstration during the event. The system integrates operational, brand, and financial data into a structured framework designed to support investor readiness and due diligence.
According to BizPal, the platform is intended to help SMEs organise their business information into formats aligned with investor expectations, enabling clearer communication during fundraising discussions.
“SMEs should never walk into a funding conversation unsure of their numbers,” said Ms. Anya Tan, CEO of BizPal Malaysia.
MOUs Expand Distribution Network
The event also included the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between BizPal and two Malaysian partners, My Education Platform and VA Partners. Both organisations will serve as authorised distributors of BizPal’s education and advisory programmes across Malaysia.
The partnerships expand BizPal’s reach within the SME ecosystem by working with local organisations that support business development and capability building.
“Partnering with BizPal allows us to introduce structured, investor-ready methodologies to the SME community we serve,” said Mr. Jeff Lee, Director, My Education Platform.
A representative from VA Partners is expected to provide a statement following final endorsement.
Global Mentorship Exchange (GMX)
During the event, BizPal also presented the Global Mentorship Exchange (GMX), an ecosystem initiative designed to connect experienced business leaders with high-potential entrepreneurs.
The initiative provides a structured environment for mentorship supported by data-based evaluation and standardised assessment criteria aligned with investor expectations. GMX was first introduced during BizPal’s Data Fundraising Masterclass in December 2025 and was presented to a broader network of partners and investors at BizPal Day.
Next Steps
Following the event, BizPal plans to expand the adoption of CapitalOS and continue developing its partner network across Malaysia and the ASEAN region.
Hashtag: #NoDataNoTalk #DataFundraising #InvestorReady #CapitalReadiness #FinTech #BusinessValuation #ASEANSMEs #BizPalDay
https://www.bizpal.tech/
https://www.facebook.com/simplyfi.sg
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About BizPal
BizPal provides data-driven corporate finance solutions designed to help ASEAN SMEs become investor-ready. Its platform, CapitalOS, integrates operational, strategic, and financial data into a unified system that supports business evaluation and investor engagement.
Media OutReach
Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio And IHG Hotels & Resorts Partner To Bring Four International Hotel Brands To The Coastal Mega Urban Development
Under the agreement, IHG will develop four hotels with a total of more than 1,000 rooms at Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio, including InterContinental Saigon Can Gio with 400 rooms, Crowne Plaza Saigon Can Gio with 400 rooms, Holiday Inn Express Saigon Can Gio with 130 rooms, and Garner Saigon Can Gio with 130 rooms.
InterContinental Saigon Can Gio, a world-renowned luxury brand, will deliver premium hospitality experiences tailored to international travelers and domestic guests seeking high-end accommodation. Crowne Plaza Saigon Can Gio, one of the largest upscale hotel brands globally, will cater to frequent travelers with modern, flexible spaces designed to optimize productivity and foster connections.
Holiday Inn Express Saigon Can Gio and Garner Saigon Can Gio will expand the destination’s accommodation offering with efficient, high-quality stays focused on value, making the development more accessible to a broader range of guests. This also marks the official debut of both brands in the Vietnamese market.
According to the development timeline, Holiday Inn Express Saigon Can Gio and Garner Saigon Can Gio are expected to open in 2028, followed by InterContinental Saigon Can Gio and Crowne Plaza Saigon Can Gio in 2030.
In this partnership, Vinpearl, a member of Vingroup, will act as the project operator and lead the collaboration with IHG Hotels & Resorts, while coordinating with all stakeholders throughout the development and operational phases.
Together with Vinpearl’s world-class hospitality brand, the addition of four premium IHG hotels will help realize a 7,000-room accommodation ecosystem at Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio, meeting the growing demand for extended stays and diverse experiences year-round in Can Gio and Ho Chi Minh City.
Complementing the hospitality offering, a series of large-scale entertainment and resort facilities unique to Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio will further elevate the destination. These include the 122-hectare VinWonders theme park featuring the world’s tallest artificial snow mountain and nearly 200 attractions, the 5,000-seat Blue Waves Theater, the 800-hectare Paradise Lagoon, the five-star international cruise port Landmark Harbour, and two 18-hole international-standard golf courses. Together, these developments aim to position Can Gio as a globally-recognized tourism and resort hub, targeting 40 million visitors annually and standing alongside leading destinations in Vietnam and worldwide.
Mr. Rajit Sukumaran, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, East Asia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “This agreement marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between IHG and Vingroup. Bringing four of our standout brands to Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio reflects the diversity of our portfolio, as well as our strong commitment to supporting Vietnam’s goal of becoming a leading global tourism destination. With brands spanning multiple segments, we believe this collaboration will help create an integrated hospitality ecosystem that meets the diverse needs of travelers at one of Vietnam’s most significant developments.”
Ms. Ngo Thi Huong, Chief Executive Officer of Vinpearl Joint Stock Company, said: “We selected IHG not only for its global brand portfolio but also for its proven operational expertise across international markets. Introducing InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Express, and Garner to Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio is a key step in completing our service structure and establishing international operating standards for the mega project’s hotel system. With this partnership as a foundation, we believe Vinhomes Green Paradise will progressively emerge as a world-class destination, where a fully integrated ecosystem continues to enhance its appeal to residents and both domestic and international visitors.”
Vinhomes Green Paradise is located in the southeastern part of Ho Chi Minh City. Construction began on April 19, 2025, with a total area of 2,870 hectares. The development features three sides facing the sea and is adjacent to the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-recognized site. The project is being developed to leading ESG++ standards, integrating green, smart, ecological, and regenerative principles.
The development benefits from a well-connected transport infrastructure network, including the Ben Thanh – Can Gio high-speed railway, which will reduce travel time from central Ho Chi Minh City to just 13 minutes, the Can Gio Bridge, the interchange connecting Rung Sac Road with the Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway, and the Can Gio – Vung Tau sea-crossing route, enabling travel between two major tourism hubs in just 10 minutes.
With a diverse range of accommodation options, internationally-standardized hotel systems, and a wide array of cultural, artistic, sports, and entertainment facilities aligned with green, smart, and community-friendly principles, Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio stands out as a rare mega urban development that both sets new benchmarks for ESG living and delivers a world-class tourism and resort experience.
Hashtag: #Vinhomes
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About IHG Hotels & Resorts:
IHG Hotels & Resorts is a global hospitality company with a portfolio of 21 brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programs with over 160 million members. IHG currently franchises, leases, manages, or owns more than 6,900 hotels across over 100 countries, with more than 2,300 hotels in its development pipeline.
IHG’s brand portfolio spans Luxury & Lifestyle, Premium, Essentials, and Suites segments, including well-known brands such as Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Express, Garner, Staybridge Suites, and Candlewood Suites.
About Vinhomes
Vinhomes is Vietnam’s leading real estate developer, pioneering the development of large-scale, well-planned urban areas with integrated amenities, green living environments, and modern lifestyles. In addition to 36 urban developments currently in operation nationwide, Vinhomes continues to focus on building next-generation mega and super urban developments of regional scale and significance, aspiring to create some of the most livable cities in the world while significantly transforming Vietnam’s urban landscape.
For more information, please visit https://vinhomes.vn/vi
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