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Zawya
13 hours ago
- Health
- Zawya
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 For many, outdated perceptions and delays in care have created barriers to support and treatment.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 Singapore 4, 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 expenditures 8, 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 treatable 10. 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 [ ] 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 3. World Obesity. Retrieved from 4. Lee, Y. V., & Tan, N. C. (2014). Obesity in Singapore: An update. The Singapore Family Physician, 40(2), 11–16. 5. World Health Organization. (2024). Obesity and overweight. As accessed on 22nd May 2025. 6. Ministry of Health, Singapore. (2022). National Population Health Survey 2022 Report. 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). (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/ 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 Novo Nordisk
National Post
08-05-2025
- Health
- National Post
World Ovarian Cancer Coalition Launches Global Expert Advisory Group on Ovarian Cancer
Article content Article content TORONTO — On World Ovarian Cancer Day (#WOCD2025), the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition (the Coalition) announces the formation of the Global Expert Advisory Group on Ovarian Cancer, a new initiative to elevate ovarian cancer as a global health priority. Article content On World Ovarian Cancer Day (#WOCD2025), the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition announces the formation of the Global Expert Advisory Group on Ovarian Cancer, a new initiative to elevate ovarian cancer as a global health priority. Article content Ovarian cancer is the most lethal of female cancers. With no reliable screening test, low awareness and significant diagnostic barriers, millions of lives are at stake – particularly in low- and middle-income countries where the burden is disproportionately high. Without urgent action, the world could lose eight million women to ovarian cancer by 2050. Article content The newly formed Global Expert Advisory Group on Ovarian Cancer brings together patient advocates, leading clinicians and policy makers from 13 nations across six continents. The group's mission is to develop a comprehensive framework for a global ovarian cancer strategy that will have an impact at country level to ensure that everyone living with, or at risk of, ovarian cancer has the best chance of survival and the best quality of life possible, no matter where they live. The group has identified three critical areas of focus: Article content Building Community and Policymaker Awareness Optimising Routes to Diagnosis Access to Services and Treatment for Hereditary Ovarian Cancer Article content The Group is chaired by World Ovarian Cancer Coalition Board Member (and past Chair) Annwen Jones OBE and Assoc. Professor Tracey Adams, a Gynaecological Oncologist at Groote Schuur Hospital University of Cape Town, South Africa. 'This is a global challenge that demands a global response,' said the Co-Chairs. 'Alongside the key areas of focus, we plan to set a target for a reduction in global ovarian cancer mortality in a similar vein to the global breast cancer initiative.' Article content The announcement builds on findings from the Coalition's recent studies: the Socioeconomic Burden of Ovarian Cancer in 11 Countries and the groundbreaking Every Woman Study™: Low- and Middle-Income Edition. These studies revealed: Article content The Group's members are: Article content Dr. Carlos Andrade, Assistant at Gynecologic Oncology Department, Barretos Cancer Hospítal (Brazil) Dr. Garth Funston, Lecturer, Wolfson Institute of Population Health (UK) Nimkee Gupta, Patient advocate (India and Luxembourg) Jennifer Hollington, Retired assistant deputy minister in the Government of Canada, Patient advocate (Canada) Dilyara Kaidarova, MD, PhD, Prof., First Vice-Rector, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University (Kazakhstan) Bar Levy, CEO, HaBait Shel Bar- Israel's Women's Cancer Association, Patient Advocate (Israel) Prof. Ranjit Manchanda, Professor of Gynaecological Oncology, Wolfson Institute of Population Health (UK) Prof. Ursula Matulonis, Chief, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (US) Dr. Asima Mukhopadhyay, Founder and Director, KolGOTrg, Gynaecological Oncologist/Surgeon, James Cook University Hospital and Newcastle University (India and UK) Dr. Aisha Mustapha, Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist, Ahmadu Bello University (Nigeria) Dr. Florencia Noll, Head of Unit, Sanatario Allende Cerro (Argentina) Prof. Amit Oza, Head, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (Canada) Sarah Powell, CEO, Inherited Cancers Australia (Australia) Prof. Basel Refky, Oncology Center, Mansoura University (Egypt) Dr. Ritu Salani, Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA (US) Sbba Siddique, Patient advocate (UK) Prof. Sudha Sundar, Gynaecological oncology, University of Birmingham (UK) Carolyn Taylor, Founder & Executive Director, Global Focus on Cancer (US) Dr. Julie Torode, Director Strategic Partnerships, Patient and Community Engagement, Institute of Cancer Policy, Kings College of London, and Board Member, World Ovarian Cancer Coalition (Switzerland and UK) Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media contacts: Annabel Deegan media@ Article content Article content Article content
