Being more active cannot fully offset bad diet: experts
A new national survey in Singapore reveals that while most residents meet physical activity targets, the majority consume excessive calories and sodium. Health experts warn that exercise cannot compensate for a poor diet, which remains a significant contributor to health issues.
Why it matters
This highlights a global public health challenge where lifestyle habits and dietary choices often undermine the benefits of physical fitness.
SINGAPORE; Nearly all residents in Singapore consume double the global limit for sodium, and more than half eat too many calories, despite 87 per cent of the population hitting recommended physical activity targets.
Staying active remains a vital pillar of health, but health experts warn that physical fitness cannot completely offset a bad diet.
Newly released findings from the 2025 National Nutrition Survey show that more than half of Singapore’s population consumes too many calories relative to their energy needs, pushing average daily intake to 2,460 kcal, up from 2,410 kcal in 2022 and 2,360 kcal in 2019.
Total dietary fat intake has also risen over the years. And more than nine in 10 residents (95%) also consume too much sodium, averaging roughly 4,000mg a day, double the recommended daily threshold of 2,000mg or about one teaspoon of salt.
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