Still and Heavy - Obesity and Physical Inactivity among Singaporean Youths- Consequences and Challenges for the 21st Century

Abstract

Singaporean youths are a very sedentary lot where current levels of habitual physical activity in school and outside of school are grossly inadequate to meet guidelines for having a normal body mass index and for good metabolic health. Though youth obesity rates among Singaporeans appear to be stable over the last 10 years, hovering about 10%, emergent evidence shows that Singaporean youth who were sitting for too much of the day, as a consequence had twice the risk of suffering from insulin resistance which is a precursor to metabolic syndrome. Sedentary behaviours including schooling-associated activities have also contributed to worrisome rates of myopia among young people. Inactive physiology research among Singaporean youths represents a challenge and a fertile area for future attention. Innovative whole school, home and community approaches are required to keep active youths moving on a sustained basis and to engage sedentary youths in becoming physically active.