Homegrown healthtech startup helps Singaporeans lose excess weight more effectively
Singapore’s obesity rate is increasing
20.7% of adults in Singapore have obesity, while 58% have an unhealthy weight.
Based on the 2019/2020 National Population Health Survey by the Ministry of Health Singapore, 10.5% of residents in Singapore aged 18 to 74 years are obese. Obesity was found to be more common among males than females, and among adults aged 30 to 59 years old.
These worrying figures are becoming a cause for concern for Singaporeans since excess weight have long-term health consequences and increase a person’s risk of developing other diseases like:
Cardiovascular disease
Diabetes
Certain types of cancer
Arthritis
High blood pressure
High cholesterol levels
Excess weight is also associated with a shorter life expectancy, reduced health-related quality of life, and functional mobility impairment.
For some, despite their best efforts to go on a diet or work out, weight loss still seems elusive.
There could be several medical reasons behind this, including:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS often find it especially difficult to lose excess weight.
Menopause. Women tend to gain weight during menopause due to hormonal changes, age-related body composition changes, and genetic factors, to name a few.
Hypothyroidism. People with hypothyroidism have a decrease in their metabolic rate, so their bodies use less energy compared with people who have normal thyroid hormone levels.
Diabetes. In some cases, people with diabetes may gain weight when they start taking insulin or medications that increase insulin production. This is because insulin causes your cells to take up sugar from your blood, and if there’s more sugar available than they can use, the extra will be stored as fat.
Certain Medications. There are also a huge number of medications that can have weight gain as a side effect. These include a variety of common drugs, including birth control pills, antidepressants, epilepsy medications, steroids, and certain diabetes and high blood pressure medications.
To help Singaporeans maintain a healthy weight sustainably, and live healthier, three medical doctors – Dr. Sue-Anne Toh, Dr. Kyle Tan, and Dr. Joanne Tay – came together and founded NOVI Health in 2019.
This homegrown health tech startup specializes in diabetes care and weight loss, with a unique holistic approach that integrates clinical treatments with behavioral and lifestyle interventions.
Addressing the root cause of obesity to prevent diabetes
Although NOVI initially tackled the chronic disease epidemic with diabetes, the founders quickly realized that they could make an even larger impact by focusing on prevention rather than the cure – specifically, maintaining a healthy weight to avoid progression to chronic disease.
“These aren’t necessarily folks who frequent aesthetic or slimming centers, but individuals who are concerned about their weight for health reasons,” Dr. Tan explains, citing the representation of individuals in their 30s among NOVI users. “They want to ensure that they are healthy and fit in their 40s or 50s, to be able to spend quality time with their growing kids and loved ones. And that means proactively managing any risk factors, such as excess weight.”
NOVI also addresses clients’ misconceptions about weight loss. It turns out, many still wrongly believe obesity is solely due to a lack of exercise.
“While exercise is important for overall health and can promote weight loss, often there are multiple factors such as diet, sleep as well as medical aspects that need to be addressed. Weight loss is best achieved with holistic and highly personalized advice that’s delivered promptly. Some individuals may even benefit from medication to kickstart the process.”
To help treat obesity more comprehensively, NOVI designed its weight management program to be rooted in an emphasis on consistency and behavioral change.
NOVI Health is not a slimming center
Unlike other “slimming” companies that promise a “fat-burning” solution, NOVI Health is not a slimming center, nor is it just another GP clinic providing general medical care. Slimming centers usually focus on surface-level treatments that do not have medically-proven long-term benefits. On the contrary…
NOVI Health’s weight loss specialist doctors, dietitians, health coaches, and their respective accreditations are publicly listed
NOVI has over 200 Google reviews.
Most importantly, NOVI Health was founded by three doctors, who saw real problems, and who share the goal of promoting a personalized, holistic approach to treating diabetes care and weight loss.
NOVI is all about building trusted relationships between its clients and its care team.
Thus, the founders developed NOVI Optimum Plus, a holistic, hyper personalized medical weight loss program that gives you access to weight loss specialist doctors, FDA-approved weight loss medication (specifically, GLP-1 RA medication), and personalized diet and fitness coaching with the care team 24/7.
Start your weight loss journey without sacrificing your favorite food
Get clinically proven GLP-1 RA medications that regulate your appetite and promote fullness while you continue to enjoy your favorite food.
NOVI Health’s holistic approach to weight management as featured in the Straits Times:
“Dr Sue-Anne Toh, co-founder of technology-enabled healthcare provider Novi Health, said… patients will first have to consult a doctor to assess their suitability for the medication. If prescribed [with medication], they will get consultations and digital coaching by Novi Health’s dietitian and health coach. This ensures that patients are better supported to manage potential side effects, and get the most sustainable and optimal results with the medication.”
And in this Straits Times article as well:
“…we work hard to equip and empower people with the skill sets and the knowledge, through personalised health coaching programmes, to help them maintain a healthy body composition and keep the weight off without lifelong dependency on [medication]..”
NOVI Optimum Plus, the clinically proven medical weight loss program
From $12/day, NOVI Optimum Plus gives you a fighting chance to live healthier, especially if traditional weight loss methods, like diet and exercise alone, have not been successful for you.
Here’s what your medical weight loss program looks like:
1. Consultation with a weight loss specialist doctor
Your weight loss journey begins with a consultation with a licensed doctor, who will help to identify any obstacles and underlying medical reasons hindering your weight loss efforts and personalize a program based on your medical history to help you reach your ideal weight loss goal.
The doctors are weight loss specialists who have successfully helped many individuals lose weight sustainably and healthily.
2. Clinically-proven weight loss medication
If you are deemed suitable, you’ll also be prescribed with the GLP-1 RA medication. GLP-1 RA medication helps to promote satiety by signaling fullness to the brain and slowing gastric emptying.
Clinical trials show you could expect to lose 15% of your body weight over a year. Other benefits also include lowering the risks of diabetes and heart disease.
3. Ongoing guidance through diet and fitness health coaching
Medication isn’t the only recommended way to achieve your weight loss goals. To help achieve better overall health, your weight loss program also includes a dedicated dietician and health coach to guide you through a tailored nutritional diet and rigorous fitness routine.
Building healthy habits and making healthier lifestyle changes will help you to achieve sustainable weight loss for the years to come.
Thousands of Singaporeans choose NOVI Optimum Plus to help achieve their health and fitness goals
Clinically proven
NOVI Optimum Plus combines both precise medication with one-on-one health coaching to achieve your weight loss goals. You will work directly with a personalized team of weight loss specialists, consisting of MOH-licensed doctors, dieticians and fitness coaches, and receive clinically proven medication to support you on your weight loss journey.
Unlike other weight loss providers that promise quick results that are often not medically proven, NOVI Optimum Plus is rooted in an emphasis on consistency and behavioral change.
Here’s the percentage of body weight you could expect to lose at the:
Three-month mark: 2% to 5%
Six-month mark: 5% to 10%
12-month mark: 10% to 20%
For example, if you start the program at 70 kg, you could expect to lose anywhere between 7 to 14 kg over a year.
Lose up to 15% of your weight over 1 year
Affordability
As part of NOVI Health’s efforts to make effective weight loss programs accessible to everyone, NOVI Optimum Plus gets you access to weight loss specialist doctors, GLP-1 RA medication, diet and health coaching starting from an affordable $12/day.
NOVI Optimum Plus is an affordable option to help achieve the weight loss results you want.
Convenience
The weight loss program is also designed for those with busy schedules. If you don’t have time to travel down to the clinic, NOVI Optimum Plus also offers a digital weight loss experience, for those who prefer it. Medication is delivered to you after your consultation so you don’t have to step out of your house.
Here’s how NOVI Optimum Plus works for you
Consult a specialist doctor and health coach via video or in the clinic: Receive a holistic treatment plan based on your existing health condition, health goals, and preferences, anywhere you like.
Receive your medication at your convenience: Choose between in-person pickup or doorstep delivery, whichever is more convenient for you.
Get continuous support and guidance online: Receive regular follow-up and advice from our dieticians and health coaches via our mobile app, NOVIFY. Your care plan will be automatically updated as you progress through your weight loss journey.
“Ultimately, NOVI Health is for everyone who wants to become healthier and believes that change is possible,” shares Dr. Toh.
“Our goal is to make health simple and sustainable."
Many customers have been very satisfied with the results of the weight loss program and left glowing reviews on NOVI Health.
Starting at just $12/day, NOVI Optimum Plus ensures ongoing guidance, timely program adjustments, and the motivation you need for sustainable weight loss.
Speak with us and let’s get started on your journey.