Weekdays 9:30am - 7pm.
Alternate Saturdays 9am - 5pm.
Red orchid flowers in a vase with the text Amaris B. Clinic on a white wall in the background.
Getting Here
By Car/Taxi

Public parking available or drop off along Arab Street, Village Hotel Bugis (Previously known as Golden Landmark Hotel)

By Public Transport

Buses (2, 12, 32, 33, 130, 133, 133A, 520, 960, NR7)  MRT (alight at Bugis MRT station)

Follow us
Red orchid flowers in a vase with the text Amaris B. Clinic on a white wall in the background.
Getting Here
Follow us

Get In Touch

Here's How Much Weight The Average Singaporean Gains After Entering The Workforce

April 20, 2023
May 14, 2026
Medically reviewed by:
Dr Ivan Puah, Medical Director

Many Singaporeans have tried going on fad diets but they end up on a yo-yo diet, where one loses an amount of weight, and then gains it all back…and then some.

singaporean

Table of Contents

As we age, our metabolism slows, and lifestyle changes often lead to weight gain; over 60% of Singaporean workers report weight gain after starting their jobs. Consistency in exercise and diet is vital for a healthier body, though it can be difficult for busy individuals.

Amaris B. Clinic offers a customised weight loss program focused on sustainable lifestyle changes. For those with stubborn fat, Vaser Liposuction, a minimally invasive procedure by Dr Ivan Puah, effectively targets specific areas to boost body confidence and health.

As we get older, our metabolism naturally slows down.

The change in lifestyle, from students to working adults, plays a large part in our weight gain and loss, too.

Many Singaporeans have tried going on fad diets, but they end up on a yo-yo diet, where one loses an amount of weight, and then gains it all back…and then some.

The cycle repeats, but it only brings more harm than good to the body.

There are a variety of reasons we gain weight when we enter the workforce – stress and age are among the most obvious.

While you can’t stop your body from ageing, stress is something we can control (or at least, learn to manage).

In a JobsCentral online survey in 2013, it found that 61.7% of Singaporean workers have gained weight since starting work, and 16.8% of those surveyed have gained “at least 20kg since joining the workforce”.

This is also consistent with the results of a Health Promotion Board (HPB) study.

Men put on more weight than women

@amarisbclinic At age 30, men often face physiological changes, notably increased difficulty in losing abdominal fat and natural muscle loss, or atrophy, leading to weakness. A major contributor to these changes is the fluctuation of male hormones, especially testosterone. https://www.amaris-b.com/blog/men-belly-fat-ageing-after-30 #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #tiktoksg #singapore #aesthetics #medicaltok #weightgain #obesity ♬ original sound - Amaris B. Clinic Singapore

According to The Straits Times, the average Singaporean is 3kg heavier than they were decades ago.

Both studies also show that men put on more weight than women, even though women are more prone to gaining weight.

While the HPB study showed that the cause of this weight gain was an increase in calorie intake (2% above their recommended intake), the JobsCentral survey showed that 76.1% of respondents said it was due to a lack of time and energy for exercise.

Achieving A Slim And Healthy Body Doesn’t Have To Be Hard

@amarisbclinic Unintentional weight gain can result from a variety of factors that affect the body's metabolism, appetite, and energy balance. Here are some of the main causes! #fyp #foryoupage #medicaltok #weight #weightgain #weightloss ♬ original sound - Amaris B. Clinic Singapore

Sticking to an exercise regimen or a meal plan for the diet you’re following can be very difficult.

This takes a lot of discipline and willpower, which is rather difficult for the majority of working people.

When necessary, Dr Ivan Puah may prescribe weight loss aids, such as GLP-1 medications, in either injectable or pill form.

Amaris B. Clinic’s customised weight loss program has helped many Singaporeans to lose weight, adopt a healthier lifestyle and take control of obesity-related conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and arthritis.

Losing the extra kilos is about getting the life-saving and life-changing benefits that come along with it, like lower blood cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.

You’ll also have reduced pain, fewer medications, increased mobility and energy, and improved sleep, leading to better overall quality of life.

Individualised approach to healthy weight loss

@amarisbclinic You’ve been following advice on how to lose weight, but nothing is happening. Maybe something’s amiss, or perhaps, you’ve been adhering to plain wrong advice. #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #tiktoksg #singapore #aesthetics #medicaltok #weightgain #weightloss ♬ original sound - Amaris B. Clinic Singapore

Amaris B. Clinic’s individualised approach to healthy weight loss addresses each Singaporean client’s unique medical, nutritional, and fitness needs.

With that data, we can identify realistic lifestyle changes, assist with goal-setting, and help patients start on a path to sustainable weight loss and better health.

Even after losing the extra kilos, stubborn areas of fat remain?

Vaser Liposuction: Trimming stubborn fat

Going on the Vaser Liposuction treatment, a minimally invasive liposuction technique, can help with that. It can target fat in specific areas, like the arms, and effectively get rid of those bingo wings.

This can be the solution for extremely stubborn, seemingly impossible fats that won’t shift with dieting and exercise alone.

Vaser Liposuction utilises ultrasound waves to selectively destroy fat cells through emulsification, enhancing skin tightening that is not achievable with traditional liposuction, resulting in more defined, slimmer arms.

Guided by Dr Ivan Puah of the Amaris B. Clinic, medical director and Chairman of Lipo Peer Review Committee, Singaporeans will be able to achieve a healthier you and regain body confidence.

FAQ

Is GLP-1 medications legal in Singapore?

In Singapore, GLP-1 medications are approved by the Ministry of Health and are licensed under the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for the treatment of patients with diabetes and obesity, as well as those experiencing difficulties with weight loss. Only licensed physicians are authorised to prescribe GLP-1 medications, as patients must be closely monitored to prevent misuse and ensure their safety and progress.

How do GLP-1 medications help with weight loss?

GLP-1 medications help with weight loss by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, which reduces appetite.

Who is a good candidate for GLP-1 medications?

Good candidates for GLP-1 medications are typically individuals with a BMI over 27.

Why does rapid weight loss cause emotional turmoil?

Rapid weight loss can activate the body's stress response. This will lead to higher cortisol levels, which are associated with an increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts.

These hormonal changes can cause emotional ups and downs, especially during the first few months of weight loss, when stability is often lacking.

This is why it is important to embark on a weight loss journey with an experienced, qualified doctor to ensure sustainable weight loss and safe, healthy progress.

How to know if you don't have a healthy gut?

Recognising these symptoms can help you take steps to improve your gut health.

  • Digestive discomfort: Regular bloating, gas, diarrhoea, constipation, or abdominal pain may indicate your gut struggles with food and waste.
  • Fatigue and sleep problems: Poor gut health can impair nutrient absorption, leading to tiredness and sleep issues.
  • Autoimmune conditions: Chronic illnesses like autoimmune diseases and allergies often relate to an unhealthy gut.
  • Frequent illnesses: Because much of your immune system is in your gut, a lack of beneficial bacteria can lead to frequent illness.
  • Weight changes: An unhealthy gut can affect nutrient absorption and fat storage, causing weight fluctuations.
  • Bad breath: Chronic bad breath (halitosis) can signal gut health issues.
  • Sugar cravings: Harmful bacteria thrive on sugar, leading to constant cravings.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WEIGHT LOSS

A tailored medical weight loss management programme prescribed by medical director, Dr Ivan Puah, who holds a Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine.

Reference