Singaporeans should pay particular attention to tipping the scales and obesity, said PM Lee Hsien Loong earlier this evening.

Speaking in Mandarin at the National Day Rally, he said that obesity and being overweight are problems that plague all developed countries and some developing nations.

Citing China as an example, he said that the country is on the alert for three highs - high sugar, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. All three conditions are caused by being overweight.

He said that it was rare to find these three conditions in China before the economic reforms.

"The slimming business (in China) is becoming better and better. They have this method where the fee payment depends on the amount of weight lost.

"The fee depends on how much weight you have lost: Five katis (2.5kg) 300 yuan ($63); 10 katis (5kg) 500 yuan ($105); 20 katis (10kg) 800 yuan ($169)."

However, he pointed out that Singapore has not reached this advanced stage yet, due in part to an annual healthy lifestyle campaign to help everyone lose weight free of charge.

Nonetheless, overweight and obese citizens must do more to reduce their weight as their numbers are on the rise.

PM Lee encouraged all citizens to take personal responsibility for their health. Examples of healthy living included exercising, keeping a careful diet and abstinence from smoking.

He also encouraged community building by fostering bonds through participating in group exercises.