HealthThe StarBeing more active cannot fully offset bad diet: experts
Experts warn that exercising regularly does not cancel out a poor diet, as new Singapore data shows most people eat far too much salt and calories.
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.
Singapore's 2025 National Nutrition Survey found most residents eat too many calories and nearly double the recommended daily sodium, despite most hitting exercise targets.
Average daily sodium intake is around 4,000mg, double the recommended 2,000mg limit, and average daily calories have crept up to 2,460 kcal since 2019.
Health experts say exercise is vital but cannot fully compensate for a poor diet, and patients who think it does are putting their long-term health at risk.
Doctors say to keep exercising but watch portion sizes and avoid overeating after a workout, as high sodium and calorie intake can still drive diabetes and weight gain even in active people.
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