Singapore plans to restrict advertising for “unhealthy” food and drink aimed at children, as countries across Asia grow increasingly concerned about obesity rates.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: “Obesity rates are going up?.?.?.?with more fast foods and sedentary occupations,” even as more Singaporeans were exercising and fewer were smoking. About 11 per cent of adults in the island nation of 5.3m are considered obese, compared with an OECD average of 17 per cent and over 35 per cent in the US.
An obesity epidemic has raised alarm in the US and Britain over rising healthcare costs associated with diabetes and other weight-related ailments.