“With nearly one out of three children aged five or under being underweight, Sri Lanka has unusually high rates of child malnutrition, not only in absolute terms but also in relation to its income,” says the World Bank in its report on Sri Lanka attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
Local health authorities are sceptical, but the bank’s research team insisted Friday, at the launch of the report, that there is no mistake.
In fact, as much as 15 percent of children even from the richest households – that should have access to enough food – are underweight and stunted.
Paradoxically, child mortality rates in Sri Lanka are so low - only 13 infant deaths per 1,000 live births – they are only one fourth of what is expected of a country with Sri Lanka’s per capita income.
“Based on income levels, child mortality should be in the range of 45 to 50,” says Anil Deolalikar a professor of economics from the University of California.
Sri Lanka has also already attained gender equality in primary and secondary school enrolments and is near universal primary enrolment and completion.
Adult literacy and life expectancy rates are also well above levels expected from the country’s per capita income.
Which is why the high child malnutrition rates – almost double what it should be based on per capita GDP and treble what it should be based on infant mortality rates - are difficult to digest.
“What this means,” says Deolalikar, “is that children are surviving in Sri Lanka but the quality of life in early childhood is far from ideal.”
According to demographic and health survey data, says the World Bank, around 29 percent of children between the ages of 3 months to 59 months are moderately or severely underweight.
Another 14 percent of children in the same age group are stunted or wasted.
Malnutrition is highest in the estate sector with nearly half the children - over 43 percent- are underweight followed by the rural sector where around 20 percent of children are underweight.
Local health authorities are sceptical, but the bank’s research team insisted Friday, at the launch of the report, that there is no mistake.
In fact, as much as 15 percent of children even from the richest households – that should have access to enough food – are underweight and stunted.
Paradoxically, child mortality rates in Sri Lanka are so low - only 13 infant deaths per 1,000 live births – they are only one fourth of what is expected of a country with Sri Lanka’s per capita income.
“Based on income levels, child mortality should be in the range of 45 to 50,” says Anil Deolalikar a professor of economics from the University of California.
Sri Lanka has also already attained gender equality in primary and secondary school enrolments and is near universal primary enrolment and completion.
Adult literacy and life expectancy rates are also well above levels expected from the country’s per capita income.
Which is why the high child malnutrition rates – almost double what it should be based on per capita GDP and treble what it should be based on infant mortality rates - are difficult to digest.
“What this means,” says Deolalikar, “is that children are surviving in Sri Lanka but the quality of life in early childhood is far from ideal.”
According to demographic and health survey data, says the World Bank, around 29 percent of children between the ages of 3 months to 59 months are moderately or severely underweight.
Another 14 percent of children in the same age group are stunted or wasted.
Malnutrition is highest in the estate sector with nearly half the children - over 43 percent- are underweight followed by the rural sector where around 20 percent of children are underweight.
