The Times Australia
News From Asia

.

Novo Nordisk launches ‘Your Weight Can’t Wait’ Campaign to raise awareness of adolescents with obesity

This campaign aims to create awareness of obesity as a medical disease, focusing on adolescents in the society, and encourages caregivers & healthcare providers to be proactive to tackle its consequences

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 12 October 2022 - Novo Nordisk proudly launched Your Weight Can't Wait campaign addressing the increase in prevalence of adolescents with obesity in Singapore due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From 2017 to 2021, the proportion of students who were overweight (BMI-for-age at or above the 90th percentile) in schools (primary, secondary and pre-university levels) has increased from 13% to 16%. In 2021, The Weight Management Clinic at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) reported a 12 per cent increase in such cases as compared to 2019, while the Division of Paediatric Endocrinology at National University Hospital (NUH) reported a 15 per cent increase[1], Even more alarming is the fact that such cases are often under-reported. If left unchecked, adolescent obesity would lead to a myriad of health and psychological issues later in life.

A modern solution for a longstanding issue

With the purpose of driving change to defeat chronic diseases, Novo Nordisk has made it a priority to tackle the issue of adolescent obesity. Using a multi-pronged approach, Your Weight Can't Wait campaign aims to not only increase awareness regarding the dangers of obesity amongst adolescents and their caregivers, but to also encourage them to seek more information on obesity and management options while also addressing the stigma surrounding obesity that can be inherent in society.

This will be achieved by collaborating with notable social media figures through #ywcwchallenge, a physical challenge taking place on various social media platforms involving both strength and balance, where participants balance an apple on their head and perform 10 squats. This activity will remind everyone upon the importance of keeping active, thereby raising awareness on obesity.

For the face of the campaign, Novo Nordisk is proud to present an adorable otter as a mascot. Ottese the otter is an animal that is truly emblematic to the little island-state of Singapore with its famously tight-knit families. Novo Nordisk believes that Ottese will serve the campaign well, serving as a reminder that adolescent obesity should not be an issue that is faced alone, but with the help of a strong and cohesive family unit.

Supporting adolescents with obesity has never been more important in the current environment that has highlighted obesity as a significant risk factor for COVID-19. The Your Weight Can't Wait campaign aims to increase knowledge and change the narrative around obesity in Singapore. Through this campaign, people with obesity and their families can learn more about the causes and consequences of obesity and find tools to help them to seek professional help to better manage this chronic disease.

For more information, please visit: www.yourweightcantwait.com



[1] https://www.straitstimes.com/life/rise-in-cases-of-overweight-kids-in-singapore-during-the-pandemic


Hashtag: #NovoNordisk

About Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Bagsværd, Denmark. Their purpose is to drive change to defeat diabetes and other serious chronic diseases such as obesity, and rare blood and rare endocrine diseases.

This is a disease awareness message brought to you by Novo Nordisk Singapore. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional in the event of any medical query or emergency – and please do not attempt to self-diagnose or treat any medical condition on your own.

Times Magazine

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

The Times Features

Is our mental health determined by where we live – or is it the other way round? New research sheds more light

Ever felt like where you live is having an impact on your mental health? Turns out, you’re not imagining things. Our new analysis[1] of eight years of data from the New Zeal...

Going Off the Beaten Path? Here's How to Power Up Without the Grid

There’s something incredibly freeing about heading off the beaten path. No traffic, no crowded campsites, no glowing screens in every direction — just you, the landscape, and the...

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banque...

What Endo Took and What It Gave Me

From pain to purpose: how one woman turned endometriosis into a movement After years of misdiagnosis, hormone chaos, and major surgery, Jo Barry was done being dismissed. What beg...

Why Parents Must Break the Silence on Money and Start Teaching Financial Skills at Home

Australia’s financial literacy rates are in decline, and our kids are paying the price. Certified Money Coach and Financial Educator Sandra McGuire, who has over 20 years’ exp...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer experiences Sydney, Australia, 14 July 2025 – Qlik®, a g...