The Cost of Weight Loss in Singapore: Options, Expenses, and Considerations

• Par Shazwan Ali
• juillet 1, 2025juillet 1, 2025
• weight loss singapore
• Avec 0 commentaires

Weight loss is a growing concern in Singapore, where the prevalence of obesity has risen to 11.6% among adults aged 18–74 in 2021–2022, up from 10.5% in 2019–2020, according to the National Population Health Survey 2022. With obesity linked to chronic conditions like diabetes (8.5% prevalence) and hypertension (37% prevalence), many Singaporeans are seeking effective weight loss solutions. These range from lifestyle changes to medically supervised programs and surgical interventions, each with varying costs influenced by program type, duration, and individual needs. This article examines the cost of weight loss in Singapore, encompassing diet and exercise, medical programs, medications, and bariatric surgery, while addressing challenges and concluding with five frequently asked questions to inform decisions.

Overview of Weight Loss Costs in Singapore

The cost of weight loss in Singapore depends on the approach, ranging from low-cost lifestyle changes to high-cost medical interventions. The Health Promotion Board (HPB) advocates sustainable weight loss through a caloric deficit (500–1,000 calories daily) via diet and exercise, targeting 0.5–1 kg loss per week. However, factors like Singapore’s rich food culture, sedentary lifestyles, and medical needs drive many to seek structured programs or treatments, which significantly impact costs. Below, we break down the main weight loss approaches and their associated expenses, based on data from Singapore-based clinics and programs as of 2025.

1. Lifestyle-Based Weight Loss: Diet and Exercise

Dietary Changes

Adopting a healthier diet, such as the HPB’s My Healthy Plate (40% vegetables, 30% protein, 15% healthy fats, 15% complex carbohydrates), is a cost-effective approach. Costs include:

• Groceries: Switching to whole grains (e.g., brown rice at S$2–S$5/kg) and lean proteins (e.g., chicken breast at S$8–S$12/kg) may cost S$50–S$100 weekly for an individual, depending on meal planning. Choosing healthier hawker options, such as sliced fish soup (S$5–S$7), over laksa (S$6–S$8), saves calories without incurring significant cost differences.

• Meal Prep Services: Services like ReCulture offer plant-based, oil-free meal plans at S$15–S$30 per meal, totaling S$300–S$600 monthly for daily meals.

Exercise Programs

Physical activity, recommended at 150–300 minutes weekly, incurs variable costs:

• Gym Memberships: Facilities like ActiveSG offer memberships at S$30–S$50 monthly, with access to gyms and pools. Private gyms, such as Virgin Active, charge S$150–S$300 per month.

• Personal Training: Trainers, such as those at Vigeo or FITLUC, charge between S$60 and S$150 per session, with 10-session packages costing between S$500 and S$1,200. Group classes, like BodyCombat, cost S$10–S$20 per session at community centers.

• Home Equipment: Basic gear like dumbbells or resistance bands costs S$50–S$200, while premium home gym setups can exceed S$1,000.

Total monthly costs for lifestyle-based weight loss range from S$100 (self-managed diet and free exercise, such as park jogging) to S$500 (gym membership, trainer, and meal preparation).

2. Medically Supervised Weight Loss Programs

Medically supervised programs, offered by clinics like SingHealth, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), and Amaris B. Clinic, combine diet, exercise, and medical interventions for 5–10% body weight loss over 16–24 weeks. Costs include:

• Consultations and Assessments: Initial consultations, including InBody or DEXA scans for body composition, cost between S$50 and S$200. Follow-up visits (monthly or biweekly) range from S$30 to S$100 each.

• Program Fees:

  • KTPH’s 24-week program: S$500–S$1,500, including dietitian and exercise specialist support, with an average 7.3 kg loss.

  • SingHealth’s 6-month program: S$600–S$2,000, with medical screenings and personalized plans.

  • NOVI Optimum (16 weeks): S$99/month (S$396 total) for digital consultations, dietitian support, and the NOVIFY app, with optional in-person sessions at S$50–S$150 each.

  • Eureka Wellness: S$2,000–S$4,000 for an 8-week program, claiming 8–10 kg loss without exercise, using proprietary diet and supplements.

• Additional Tests: Blood tests (e.g., cholesterol, thyroid function) or metabolic assessments cost between S$100 and S$300.

Total costs for a 4–6-month program range from S$400 (basic digital plans) to S$4,000 (premium in-person programs).

3. Weight Loss Medications

Medications like orlistat, liraglutide (Saxenda), and semaglutide (Wegovy) are prescribed for individuals with BMI ≥27 with comorbidities or BMI ≥30. Costs include:

• Orlistat (fat blocker): S$50–S$100 monthly, with 2.9–3.4% weight loss over a year. Side effects, such as diarrhea, may limit use.

• Liraglutide (daily injection): S$200–S$400 monthly, achieving 5.6 kg loss over placebo in a year.

• Semaglutide (weekly injection): S$400–S$600 monthly, with up to 20% weight loss. Clinics like ATAMED, SL Clinic, and Medical Aesthetics offer these with consultations (S$50–S$150).

• Duromine (appetite suppressant): S$100–S$200 monthly, with side effects like insomnia or palpitations.

A 6-month medication course, including consultations, costs between S$600 and S$3,600, depending on the drug and the clinic.

4. Bariatric Surgery and Endoscopic Procedures

For severe obesity (BMI ≥35), bariatric surgery (e.g., gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy) or endoscopic procedures (e.g., intragastric balloons) are options. Costs include:

• Bariatric Surgery: S$15,000–S$30,000 at hospitals like NUH or SGH, including surgeon fees, hospital stays (2–5 days), and follow-up care. Insurance may cover obesity-related conditions but not weight loss alone. Patients typically lose 15–20 kg, or 50–60% of their excess weight.

• Endoscopic Procedures: Intragastric balloons cost S$8,000–S$12,000, with removal after 4–12 months. Endoscopic gastroplasties cost between S$10,000 and S$15,000.

• Post-surgery support: Dietitian and psychologist follow-ups incur an additional annual cost of S$500–S$2,000.

5. Slimming Centers and Alternative Programs

Slimming centers, such as London Weight Management, offer women-only treatments, claiming a 2–22 cm or 1–2 kg loss per session. Costs include:

• Single Sessions: S$100–S$300 for treatments like fat-burning or detox therapies.

• Packages: 10–30 sessions cost S$2,000–S$8,000, with programs like ezSlim™ targeting visceral fat or cellulite.

• Supplements and Products: S$50–S$200 monthly for proprietary supplements or meal replacements.

Total costs range from S$1,000 (for short-term packages) to S$10,000 (for extensive programs).

Challenges and Considerations

• Cost Variability: Prices vary by clinic, location (e.g., Orchard vs. Toa Payoh), and treatment intensity. SMEs may find high-end programs or surgeries unaffordable.

• Sustainability: Rapid weight loss from medications or slimming centers risks rebound if lifestyle changes are not maintained. SGH warns of side effects like kidney stones from crash diets.

• Insurance Coverage: Most programs and surgeries are not covered by insurance unless they are tied to a specific medical condition, which can increase out-of-pocket costs.

• Singapore’s Context: Hawker food culture and sedentary jobs challenge adherence, leading to an increased reliance on costly structured programs.

Conclusion

The cost of weight loss in Singapore varies widely, ranging from S$100 per month for self-managed lifestyle changes to S$30,000 for bariatric surgery. Lifestyle approaches are the most affordable but require discipline, while medical programs and medications offer structured support at S$400–S$4,000 for 4–6 months. Surgery, though expensive, is effective for severe obesity. By understanding costs and aligning choices with personal goals and budgets, Singaporeans can pursue sustainable weight loss, improving health and quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the cheapest way to lose weight in Singapore?
   Self-managed diet (e.g., My Healthy Plate, S$50–S$100/month) and free exercise (e.g., park jogging) cost S$100–S$200 monthly, requiring consistent effort.

2. How much do medically supervised weight loss programs cost?
   Programs like KTPH (S$500–S$1,500) or NOVI Optimum (S$396 for 16 weeks) cost between S$400 and S$4,000 for 4–6 months, including consultations and dietitian support.

3. What is the cost of weight loss medications in Singapore?
   Medications like orlistat cost S$50–S$100 per month, while liraglutide or semaglutide cost S$200–S$600 per month, totaling S$600–S$3,600 for 6 months.

4. How expensive is bariatric surgery for weight loss?
   Bariatric surgery costs range from S$15,000 to S$30,000, including hospital stays and follow-up appointments, with endoscopic procedures such as intragastric balloons priced at S$8,000 to S$12,000.

5. Are slimming center treatments worth the cost?
   Slimming centers like London Weight Management charge between S$1,000 and S$10,000 for their packages. They can be effective for targeted fat loss but require maintenance to avoid rebound.