Sri Lanka, June 18 -- 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 frequen...