In Sri Lanka, the economic crisis has caused a drop in child nutrition

NEW DELHI (Reuters] – Sri Lanka’s undernourished children increased in 2022 for the first time since at least six years, according to a government report.

This 22-million-strong island nation is currently facing soaring food and retail prices. Its worst economic crisis since 1948 has largely contributed to the country’s current difficulties.

According to a report published in October, more than 43.4% of children aged under five years are experiencing nutrition problems. 42.9% suffer from undernutrition.

GRAPHIC: Setback for child nutrition in Sri Lanka https://www.reuters.com/graphics/SRILANKA-CRISIS/gdvzqwbxnpw/chart.png

These numbers, along with data from the Family Health Bureau of the Health Ministry, show that the percentage of children under five years old who are overweight, stunted or wasting has increased since 2016, after falling steadily since 2016.

The report found that 1.4 million children below the age of 5 were registered with the Public Health Midwives Body.

The report states that 15.3% of children in the country are underweight, compared with 12.2% last year. 10.1% suffer from wasting and 9.2% stunted growth.

In 2021, 8.2% children under five years old were found to have stunted growth and 7.2% had wasting away.

According to the report, “In 2022, percentages under 5 years old with any type of undernutrition (growth flatering, underweight and wasting) have increased relative to 2021.”

“This trend is seen in all age categories (infant, 1-2 years, 2-5 years) and in all three sectors (urban, rural & estate),” it added.

(Reporting by Sakshi dayal; Editing By Emelia Sithole Matarise