Sri Lanka Schoolchildren Face Widespread Malnutrition, Health Ministry Warns

More than one in five schoolchildren in Sri Lanka are suffering from malnutrition, according to Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe. Speaking at a media briefing for National Nutrition Month, Dr. Jasinghe highlighted that these children face an increased risk of developing obesity in adolescence. Survey data indicates stunting affects 10.1% of children, while 16.1% are underweight and a small fraction, 0.5%, are overweight. Health officials also noted an increase in the number of children attending school hungry.