15 Things to Know from MOH’s Health Survey 2020, Whereby S’poreans Smoke Less But Gain More Weight

On 18 Nov 2021, the Ministry of Health (MOH) published its findings to the National Population Health Survey (NPHS) 2020.

The survey serves to find out what’s wrong with the health of Singapore residents and give recommendations on how we can get healthier.

The good news is, Singaporeans are smoking lesser; on the flip side, though, we’re getting fatter.

Here are 15 things you should know about the NPHS 2020, categorised into statistics and recommendations.

Statistics

1. Decrease in Smoking Prevalence

Over the past decade, Singapore’s smoking prevalence has decreased steadily.

In 2017, the smoking prevalence for Singapore residents stand at 11.8%.

In 2020, that figure has dropped to 10.1%.

Increasing the age limit for smokers in Singapore worked wonders, huh?

But as the saying goes, out of the frying pan and into the fire; it seems like people in Singapore might be turning to another vice instead.

2. Binge Drinking Increased

In 2017, the crude prevalence of binge drinking was 8.8%.

In 2020, however, that figure has increased to 10.5%.

To make matters worse, it seems that the increase mainly comes from those in the 18 to 29 years old, and 30 to 39 years old age group.

3. Obesity Woes

If you are obese or have a high-risk BMI, you’re not alone.

In fact, you’re part of a growing group in Singapore, literally.

During the period of 2019 to 2020, over one in ten Singapore residents were obese (10.5%).

Over two in ten had high-risk BMI (20.7%).

MOH highlighted in their report that the figures are a slight increase from 2017

The prevalence of obesity and high-risk BMI is more common among those in the 30 to 59 years old age group, which is almost double of those in the 18 to 29 years old range.

And this is probably due to…

4. Insufficient Moderate-Intensity Exercise

According to NPHS 2020, fewer Singapore residents participated in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week.

In 2020, 76.4% of those surveyed did that, a decrease compared to the 80.9% in 2017.

But that doesn’t mean Singapore residents are exercising lesser.

5. More Are Exercising Leisurely

Turns out, we’re not exercising lesser; we’re just not exercising hard enough.

NPHS 2020 found out that, even though lesser people are engaging in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, more people are exercising leisurely.

In 2020, 33.4% are engaging in leisure-time regular exercise, an increase compared to 29.4% in 2017.

6. Drop in Chronic Diseases Screening Rates

When you get to a certain age, you should start screening for chronic diseases.

After all, as HealthHub loves to say: The best time to for screening is when you’re feeling fine.

According to the HealthHub website, you should start screening for chronic diseases after the age of 40.

Unfortunately, not everyone received the memo.

NPHS found out that 63% of Singapore residents aged 40 to 74 years old, with no previous diagnosis of chronic illnesses (diabetes, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol), went for screening for all three health conditions within the recommended frequency.

That’s a slight drop from 66.4% in 2017.

It’s not all bad news, however.

7. Screening For Breast and Colorectal Cancer Increased

The screening rates for colorectal cancer increased to 41.1% (2020) from 35% (2017).

Screening rates for breast cancer, similarly, increased to 37.9% (2020) from 30.9% (2017).

Meanwhile, the screening rates for cervical cancer remained stable at 45.4% in 2020 (2017, 46.3%).

8. Increase in Vaccination Coverage

Vaccination is a hot topic keyword in 2021, but even before that, it was a key finding for MOH.

Except, instead of Sinovac or Moderna, they’re focused on influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations.

For Singapore residents aged 18 to 74 years old, influenza vaccination coverage increased from 13.1% in 2017 to 17% in 2020.

The pneumococcal vaccination coverage for the elderly aged 65 to 74 years old has similarly increased from 11.9% in 2017 to 14.4% in 2020.

To know more about vaccines in Singapore (not just COVID-19 vaccines), watch this video to the end:

9. Higher Poor Mental Health Among Young Adults

NPHS found that the crude prevalence of poor mental health among Singapore residents remained stable.

In 2020, it was 13.4%, and in 2017, 12.5%.

It was additionally found, however, that the younger adults age group (18 to 29 years old) has a higher proportion of poor mental health at 21.5%.

Recommendations

10. Eat Healthier, Exercise More

Increased obesity and developing high-risk BMI can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases.

It can be caused by a lack of physical activity and an unhealthy diet.

To encourage Singapore residents to exercise more, MOH will make their regular exercise programmes more accessible.

This could include bringing more programmes online or creating more exercise sessions in community spaces.

11. Decrease Sodium Consumption

Salt = Sodium; and a high sodium intake is associated with an increased risk of getting hypertension (high blood pressure).

According to MOH, Singapore residents are consuming 3,600mg of sodium per day in 2018.

By the way, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the consumption of less than 2,000mg of sodium per day.

9 out of 10 Singapore residents exceeded that recommendation.

The Health Promotion Board (HPB) is working on increasing its existing efforts to reduce sodium consumption, and more details will be made known in the following months.

12. Reduce Sugar Intake

Similarly, sugar intake has to be reduced as well.

HPB will be ramping up efforts on introducing mandatory nutrition labels called Nutri-Grade and imposing advertisement restrictions on pre-packaged non-alcoholic beverages in Singapore.

The measures are expected to come into effect at the fourth quarter of 2022, giving companies more than enough time to cope with the changes.

13. Smoking & Drinking

While smoking prevalence has fallen, MOH is determined to make it fall even further.

More efforts will be placed on educating kids on why they should not start smoking.

They will also continue to run smoking cessation programmes to help smokers kick the habit.

Similarly, MOH will educate people about the harmful effects of binge drinking through partnerships with industry partners and schools.

14. Regular Screening

As it’s been said time and again, it’s always better to screen when you’re feeling fine.

That’s because it’s easier to treat an illness detected at the start, instead of when it gets worse.

The Screen-For-Life website is a great place for Singapore residents to explore:

The website not only teaches you what screenings are necessary for your age group but also tells you where to go for cheaper screenings.

15. Various Help Lines

Screen-For-Life isn’t the only resource available to Singapore residents.

The National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) lets you know the recommended vaccines to take as you progress in life while the Youth Mental Well-being Network was formed to support mental health in Singapore.

There are also various other organisations in Singapore you can approach for help as well.

You can check out the full report here.

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Feature Image: dindumphoto / Shutterstock.com