Sample Pitch (GE3 CA10 15/16)

Problem statement: How can we reduce Childhood Obesity among Singaporean young children?

Hi, the problem statement Im covering today for my pitch is: how can we reduce childhood obesity
among Singaporean young children? The audience Im targeting is the board members of the Health
Promotion Board in Singapore.

Let me begin:

Good afternoon, members of the Health Promotion Board. Im Thomas and Im representing a few
of my fellow concerned social workers. We face a grave issue in this country according to this
Straits Times report in 2014 more than 15 percent of Primary 6 pupils will be obese, compared to Commented [WY1]: Can show printed report as a prop
less than 3 percent 30 years ago. here
Commented [WY2]: Gave background of issue; supported
There are many impacts for our country. Let me first talk about economic impacts. A Duke NUS with quoted evidence from a reliable and credible source.
report cited in the ST article stated that the lifetime medical costs of an obese child is US$19,000
Commented [WY3]: Signposting Talking about impacts
more than that for a child with normal weight. now

Furthermore, obese children become obese adults. According to a Today online article, one in nine Commented [WY4]: Signposting Economic impacts
Singaporean adults are obese, with the rate increasing at 1 percent every year. This could create Commented [WY5]: Economic Impact supported with
additional risks in regard to heart disease and diabetes, which could then cost our country more evidence
funds to treat, and loss of productivity for these future workers. As proof, Prof Finkelstein of Duke- Commented [WY6]: Further elaboration/evaluation on
NUS Medical School estimated that the US economy loses about $73 billion a year from costs Economic Impact with support
associated with obese employees. While the US is quite different from Singapore, we also have a Commented [WY7]: Cited evidence from another country
large proportion of workers employed in service industries like the US, so we could see similar
effects.

Furthermore, there are social impacts. Dr. Lee Yung Seng of NUH found that obesity has social and Commented [WY8]: Signposting Social Impact
psychological costs. Obese children suffer from discrimination and bullying in school, as well as poor Commented [WY9]: Evidence cited from reliable source
self-esteem and poor self-image. This creates a vicious cycle that reduces their results in education,
and leads them to be poorer and thus, less able to participate fully in our society.

What contributes to childhood obesity in Singapore? Let me talk about the two major causes. The Commented [WY10]: Signposting talking about causes
researchers quoted in the ST article mentioned two main causes the attitude of parents and the of problem
diet of the children.
Commented [WY11]: Quoted evidence from reliable
Parents in Asian countries do not find obese children to be a problem but actually find them cute. source for causes
Hence, they will have less awareness and less alarm if their children are obese, and thus do little to
change their childrens habits. Commented [WY12]: Explanation of first major cause

Next, the children have ready access to high-calorie snacks such as chips, sweets and sugary drinks.
Whats more; parents themselves eat these snacks regularly and are poor role models for their
children. This causes the children to see such poor diets as normal and copy their parents in snacking
heavily, which will cause weight gain. Commented [WY13]: Explanation of second major cause

Whats needed to be done? Who will save our children from obesity? The HPB needs to extend your Commented [WY14]: Signposting introduction of
1 Million KG programme to children as well, and get more locations for the programmes Wellness solutions
Kiosk machines. Your agency created this 1 Million KG programme to urge adults to exercise and
have healthy eating habits. The Wellness Kiosk machines across the island at Guardian Pharmacies
allow them to monitor their BMI for chances to win prizes.
Adapting the Wellness Kiosk machines is easily done through software changes and quickly rolled
out. The casing can be covered with eye-catching vinyl stickers to make them more attractive to kids
too. And they do not require a new casing to be built. Commented [WY15]: Suggestion of adaptations to
current solution
With these changes, we can then get parents to monitor their kids weights with the machine, so
that they will be more aware. Furthermore, the machines can easily be reprogrammed with public
notice ads about the importance of healthy eating habits and the dangers of childhood obesity.

If the machines notice children losing weight, the kids earn fun rewards immediately, such as gift
vouchers to popular kids stores, or even discounts to attractions such as the Zoo. This will help
make their habits stick. The kids participation should also add on to their parents records, which
can change their familys eating habits too. Commented [WY16]: Evaluation of effects of adaptations
and another adaptation to the solution
While Guardian Pharmacies has been the site of many of the machines, we should persuade
shopping malls as well to help out by allocating a prominent place at their entrance for the
machines, which will attract parents attention and remind them to participate. Commented [WY17]: (Optional) Discussion of another
perspective (Economic) for solution
HPB already has funding from the Ministry of Health, but the Ministry of Culture, Community and
Youth should definitely join and fund this venture, as obesity definitely reduces how many healthy
young people, and potential athletes, we can have. Commented [WY18]: Further evaluation of Political
perspective
Given that 80 thousand people have already participated in the 1 Million KG challenge, there is no
good reason not to aim higher and target children as well. To end off, imagine this: a Singapore filled Commented [WY19]: Signposting conclusion of pitch
with children who love being active and fit, and who will choose healthy foods most of the time
wouldnt that be something you will fight for? Please work with us to create this beautiful future. Commented [WY20]: Rhetorical Question
Thank you. Commented [WY21]: Call to action