One in each 5 Sri Lankan youngsters underneath the age of 05, is affected by malnutrition, in response to the Well being Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe.
Talking at a media briefing held yesterday (June 03), Dr. Jasinghe cited knowledge launched for Nationwide Diet Month 2025, which confirmed that 10.1% of youngsters underneath 5 are stunted, 8.6% are wasted, 16.1% are underweight and 0.57% are obese.
He additional famous that youngsters who are suffering from malnutrition are at a larger threat of turning into overweight later in life. Based on latest surveys, 47% of grownup girls and 30% of males in Sri Lanka are obese, whereas 15% of ladies and 6% of males are labeled as overweight.
Noting that many schoolchildren and adults are more and more consuming unhealthy snack meals, Dr. Jasinghe additional emphasised the significance of selling more healthy dietary habits.
He additional emphasised the necessity to make nutritious meals equivalent to fish extra inexpensive whereas contemplating greater costs for unhealthy snack meals to encourage higher dietary selections.
He additionally expressed concern over the nation’s declining delivery charge, which he mentioned has fallen by almost half lately. He warned that this pattern may lead to a future labour scarcity, with fewer individuals accessible to fill key positions throughout numerous sectors.
