12% of Sri Lankan schoolchildren overweight, survey finds

Around 12% of Sri Lankan schoolchildren are overweight, while a further 3% are classified as obese, according to findings from the 2024 Global School-based Student Health Survey.

Director of the Nutrition Division, Specialist Dr Monica Wijerathne, said the results are concerning, particularly in the context of a declining national population growth rate.

The survey covered children aged 13–17 and highlighted widespread unhealthy dietary patterns among school students.

Data shows that 17.04% of students consume carbonated soft drinks daily, while 28.05% regularly eat foods high in salt. In addition, 29% of schoolchildren consume high-fat foods, and 41% consume foods high in sugar at least once a day or more frequently.

Health officials said the findings point to a growing public health challenge linked to poor nutrition and changing dietary habits among adolescents.

Dr Wijerathne noted that Sri Lanka’s population growth rate has fallen from 1.9 to 1.3, and warned that the rising burden of diet-related health conditions among children adds further strain to long-term demographic and health outcomes.