Nearly one in three Sri Lankan women aged between 18 and 60 are now overweight, while one in eight are classified as obese, a survey by the National Nutrition and Micronutrient Survey (NNMS) reveals.
The findings highlight a growing public health concern, especially among urban women and those aged 50 to 60 years, who recorded the highest overweight and obesity rates.
The survey which was conducted in 2022 defines overweight as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9 kg/m², while obesity refers to a BMI above 30 kg/m².
The data reveals that 57.5 per cent of urban women fall within the combined overweight and obesity range — a figure significantly higher than in rural or estate sectors.
Meanwhile, underweight remains an issue in certain regions, with 18.9 per cent of women in the Central Province and 22.8 per cent in estate areas falling below the healthy weight threshold.
Overall, 45.2 per cent of women were recorded as maintaining a normal weight, while 12.6 per cent were underweight.
The study also found that 32 per cent of Sri Lankan men are either overweight or obese, with the urban male population showing the highest prevalence at 42.4 per cent.
The Global Nutrition Report highlights that Sri Lanka has made limited progress toward achieving its diet-related non-communicable disease (NCD) targets, underscoring the urgent need for policy interventions promoting balanced nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle awareness.
Leave a comment