• Overview
  • Obesity prevalence
  • Trends over time
  • Population breakdowns
  • Drivers
  • Comorbidities
  • Economic impact
  • Policies
  • Contextual factors
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National obesity risk *6.5/10This is a composite ‘obesity risk’ score (out of 10, the highest risk) based on obesity prevalence, rate of increase, likelihood of meeting the 2025 target, treatment indicator and childhood stunting levels.Childhood obesity risk *5/11This is a ‘risk score’ for each country’s likelihood of having or acquiring a major childhood obesity problem during the 2020s, taking account of current prevalence levels and risk for future obesity (based on stunting among infants, maternal obesity, maternal smoking, and breastfeeding rates).
* Based on estimated data. For more information see Publications

Obesity prevalence

Trends over time

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Population breakdowns

By education

By age

By region

By socio-economic group

Drivers

Insufficient activity

Fruit consumption

Vegetable consumption

Processed meat consumption

Grains consumption

Depression

Anxiety

Roots of obesity »

Like all chronic diseases, the root causes/drivers of obesity are complex. Select here to view 'other' root causes/drivers.

Breastfeeding

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Comorbidities

Oesophageal cancer

Breast cancer

Colorectal cancer

Pancreatic cancer

Gallbladder cancer

Kidney cancer

Cancer of the uterus

Raised blood pressure

Raised cholesterol

Raised fasting blood glucose

Diabetes prevalence

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Economic impact

Economic impact

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Policies

National Obesity Strategy

Nutritional or Health Strategy

Physical Activity

Tax/Subsidies on Food or Beverages

Community Interventions

Labelling

Breastfeeding

Obesity Target

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Contextual factors

Contextual factors

Obesity prevalence

Women, 2016

Survey type:Measured
Age:15-49
Sample size:16806
Area covered:National
References:Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) and Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine 2017. Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey 2016 Sri Lanka. https://www.aidsdatahub.org/resource/sri-lanka-demographic-and-health-survey-2016 (Accessed 02.09.20)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Adults, 2014-2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:18-69
Sample size:5188
Area covered:National
References:STEPS Survey Sri lanka 2014, available at https://extranet.who.int/ncdsmicrodata/index.php/catalog/614 (last accessed 16.10.20)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Women, 2009

Survey type:Measured
Age:15-49
Sample size:2146
Area covered:National
References:Jayatissa, R., Hossain, S.M., Gunawardana, S., Ranbanda, J.M., Gunathilaka, M. and De Silva, P.C., 2012. Prevalence and associations of overweight among adult women in Sri Lanka: a national survey. Sri Lanka Journal of Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2(2).
Notes:15-49 years only
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Women, 2006-2007

Survey type:Measured
Age:15-49
Sample size:12757
Area covered:National
References:Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) and Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition (MOH). 2009. Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey 2006-07. Colombo, Sri Lanka: DCS and MOH.
Notes:Demographic Health Survey data includes ever married women aged 15-49 years only and may include males aged 15-59.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Adults, 2005-2006

Survey type:Measured
Age:18+
Sample size:4532
Area covered:National
References:Katulanda P, Jayawardena MAR, Sheriff MHR, Constantine GR and Matthews DR. (2010). Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Sri Lankan adults. Obesity Reviews, pp 1 - 6.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Children, 2016

Survey type:Measured
Age:0-5
Sample size:7908
Area covered:National
References:Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) and Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine 2017. Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey 2016 Sri Lanka. https://www.aidsdatahub.org/resource/sri-lanka-demographic-and-health-survey-2016 (Accessed 18.05.21)
Notes:Infants.
Definitions:Weight for Height. Overweight = >2SD
Cutoffs:Other
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Children, 2008

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:13-15
Sample size:2611
Area covered:National
References:Global School-based Student Health Survey, Sri Lanka 2008 Fact sheet https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/Sri_Lanka_GSHS_FS_2008.pdf?ua=1
Cutoffs:WHO
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Children, 2003

Survey type:Measured
Age:10-15
Sample size:6264
Area covered:National
References:Jayatissa R and Ranbanda RM. (2006). Prevalence of challenging nutritional problems among adolescents in Sri Lanka. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 27(2): 153 - 160.
Notes:IOTF International Cut Off Please note these figures are for combined overweight & obesity (NOT Obesity)
Cutoffs:IOTF
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Overweight/obesity by education

Women, 2016

Survey type:Measured
Age:15-49
Sample size:16806
Area covered:National
References:Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) and Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine 2017. Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey 2016 Sri Lanka. https://www.aidsdatahub.org/resource/sri-lanka-demographic-and-health-survey-2016 (Accessed 02.09.20)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Women, 2006-2007

Survey type:Measured
Age:15-49
Sample size:12757
Area covered:National
References:Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) and Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition (MOH). 2009. Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey 2006-07. Colombo, Sri Lanka: DCS and MOH.
Notes:Demographic Health Survey data includes ever married women aged 15-49 years only and may include males aged 15-59.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Children, 2016

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:6978
Area covered:National
References:Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) and Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine 2017. Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey 2016 Sri Lanka. https://www.aidsdatahub.org/resource/sri-lanka-demographic-and-health-survey-2016 (Accessed 18.05.21)
Notes:Infants.
Definitions:Weight for Height. Overweight = >2SD
Cutoffs:Other
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Overweight/obesity by age

Women, 2016

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:16806
Area covered:National
References:Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) and Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine 2017. Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey 2016 Sri Lanka. https://www.aidsdatahub.org/resource/sri-lanka-demographic-and-health-survey-2016 (Accessed 02.09.20)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Adults, 2015

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:4731 (1859 males, 2872 females)
Area covered:National
References:Non Communicable Disease Risk Factor Survey Sri Lanka 2015. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/sri-lanka/steps/steps-report-2015-sri-lanka.pdf?sfvrsn=6b56d56c_5&download=true
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Children, 2002

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:1224 (588 males, 636 females)
Area covered:Colombo City
References:Nutritional status of schoolchildren in an urban area of Sri Lanka. Available at: https://cmj.sljol.info/articles/abstract/10.4038/cmj.v49i4.1920/
Cutoffs:d sex and age specific body mass index (BMI) cut off values recommended by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF)
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Overweight/obesity by region

Women, 2016

Survey type:Measured
Age:15-49
Sample size:16806
Area covered:National
References:Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) and Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine 2017. Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey 2016 Sri Lanka. https://www.aidsdatahub.org/resource/sri-lanka-demographic-and-health-survey-2016 (Accessed 02.09.20)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Women, 2006-2007

Survey type:Measured
Age:15-49
Sample size:12757
Area covered:National
References:Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) and Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition (MOH). 2009. Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey 2006-07. Colombo, Sri Lanka: DCS and MOH.
Notes:Demographic Health Survey data includes ever married women aged 15-49 years only and may include males aged 15-59.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Children, 2016

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:7908
Area covered:National
References:Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) and Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine 2017. Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey 2016 Sri Lanka. https://www.aidsdatahub.org/resource/sri-lanka-demographic-and-health-survey-2016 (Accessed 18.05.21)
Notes:Infants.
Definitions:Weight for Height. Overweight = >2SD
Cutoffs:Other
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Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group

Women, 2016

Survey type:Measured
Age:15-49
Sample size:16806
Area covered:National
References:Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) and Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine 2017. Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey 2016 Sri Lanka. https://www.aidsdatahub.org/resource/sri-lanka-demographic-and-health-survey-2016 (Accessed 02.09.20)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Women, 2006-2007

Survey type:Measured
Age:15-49
Sample size:12757
Area covered:National
References:Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) and Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition (MOH). 2009. Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey 2006-07. Colombo, Sri Lanka: DCS and MOH.
Notes:Prevalence of overweight and obesity in females by wealth quintile Demographic Health Survey data includes ever married women aged 15-49 years only and may include males aged 15-59.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².
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Children, 2016

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:7908
Area covered:National
References:Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) and Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine 2017. Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey 2016 Sri Lanka. https://www.aidsdatahub.org/resource/sri-lanka-demographic-and-health-survey-2016 (Accessed 18.05.21)
Notes:Infants
Definitions:Weight for Height. Overweight = >2SD
Cutoffs:Other
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Insufficient physical activity

Adults, 2016

References:Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7
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Men, 2016

References:Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7
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Women, 2016

References:Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7
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Children, 2016

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21)
Notes:% of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
Definitions:% Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)
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Boys, 2016

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21)
Notes:% of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
Definitions:% Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)
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Girls, 2016

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21)
Notes:% of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
Definitions:% Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)
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Children, 2010

Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en
Notes:% of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
Definitions:% Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)
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Boys, 2010

Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en
Notes:% of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
Definitions:% Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)
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Girls, 2010

Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en
Notes:% of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
Definitions:% Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)
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Estimated per capita fruit intake

Adults, 2017

Survey type:Measured
Age:25+
References:Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/
Definitions:Estimated per-capita fruit intake (g/day)
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Prevalence of less than daily fruit consumption

Children, 2008-2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:12-17
References:Global School-based Student Health Surveys. Beal et al (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287. Sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system
Definitions:Prevalence of less-than-daily fruit consumption (% less-than-daily fruit consumption)
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Prevalence of less than daily vegetable consumption

Children, 2008-2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:12-17
References:Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system
Definitions:Prevalence of less-than-daily vegetable consumption (% less-than-daily vegetable consumption)
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Estimated per-capita processed meat intake

Adults, 2017

Survey type:Measured
Age:25+
References:Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/
Definitions:Estimated per-capita processed meat intake (g per day)
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Estimated per capita whole grains intake

Adults, 2017

Survey type:Measured
Age:25+
References:Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/
Definitions:Estimated per-capita whole grains intake (g/day)
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Mental health - depression disorders

Adults, 2015

References:Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
Definitions:% of population with depression disorders
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Mental health - anxiety disorders

Adults, 2015

References:Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
Definitions:% of population with anxiety disorders
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% Infants exclusively breastfed 0-5 months

Children, 2015-2020

Area covered:National
References:Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey 2016
Notes:See UNICEF website for further survey information. Available at : https://data.unicef.org/resources/dataset/infant-young-child-feeding/ (last accessed 28.9.21) Citation: United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2021). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Infant and Young Child Feeding: Exclusive breastfeeding, New York, September 2021.
Definitions:% exclusively breastfed 0-5 months
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Oesophageal cancer

Men, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2331
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000
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Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2331
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000
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Breast cancer

Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2331
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000
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Colorectal cancer

Men, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2331
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000
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Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2331
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000
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Pancreatic cancer

Men, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2331
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000
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Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2331
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000
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Gallbladder cancer

Men, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2331
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000
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Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2331
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000
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Kidney cancer

Men, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2331
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000
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Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2331
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000
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Cancer of the uterus

Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2331
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000
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Raised blood pressure

Adults, 2015

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en
Definitions:Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90).
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Men, 2015

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en
Definitions:Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90).
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Women, 2015

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en
Definitions:Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90).
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Raised cholesterol

Adults, 2008

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885
Definitions:% Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate).
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Men, 2008

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885
Definitions:% Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate).
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Women, 2008

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885
Definitions:% Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate).
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Raised fasting blood glucose

Men, 2014

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en
Definitions:Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication).
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Women, 2014

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en
Definitions:Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication).
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Diabetes prevalence

Adults, 2021

Age:20-79
Area covered:National
References:Reproduced with kind permission International Diabetes Federation.  IDF Diabetes Atlas, 10th edn. Brussels, Belgium:International Diabetes Federation, 2021. http://www.diabetesatlas.org
Definitions:Age-adjusted comparative prevalence of diabetes, %
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Adults, 2019

Age:20-79
References:Reproduced with kind permission International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 9th edn. Brussels,Belgium: 2019. Available at: https://www.diabetesatlas.org
Definitions:Diabetes age-adjusted comparative prevalence (%).
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Adults, 2017

References:Reproduced with kind permission of IDF, International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 8th edition. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2017. http://www.diabetesatlas.org
Definitions:Diabetes age-adjusted comparative prevalence (%).
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Economic impact of overweight and obesity

Country comparisons

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Policies, Interventions and Actions

ACTION PLAN 2021-2025: NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR PROMOTION OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Sri Lanka aims to achieve a 10% relative reduction in the prevalence of insufficient physical activity by year 2025. This action plan outlines the agenda of the Directorate of NCD, Ministry of Health for the years 2021 to 2025 to achieve this target.

Categories:Evidence of Physical Activity Guidelines/Policy
Year(s):2021-2025
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Ministry of Health
Linked document:Download linked document
References:Information provided with kind permission of WHO Global database on the Implementation of Nutrition Action (GINA): https://extranet.who.int/nutrition/gina/en

Colour coding for sugar, salt and fat

Government regulations on colour labelling foods containing specified levels or sugar, salt or fat. Available in English, Sinhala & Tamil language

Categories:Labelling Regulation/Guidelines
Year(s):2019 (ongoing)
Organisation:Government
Linked document:Download linked document
References:Food (Colour Coding for Sugar, Salt and Fat) Regulations 2019 - No 26/1980

Prevention of Overweight and Obesity among School Children in Sri Lanka

This guide discusses in details the intermediate and long-term effects of unhealthy food habits and sedentary life styles. It also provides a lengthy description of age appropriate healthy foods and physical exercise. The ultimate aim of this guide is to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases among our emerging young adult population and thereby improve their quality of life as well as their personal expectations. Healthy lifestyles is also an essential element of happy and peaceful families

Categories:Evidence of National Obesity Strategy/Policy or Action plan
Year(s):2018 (ongoing)
Target age group:Children
Organisation:Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Ministry of Health
Linked document:Download linked document
References:Prevention of Overweight and Obesity among School Children in Sri Lanka. School Health Unit of Family Health Bureau of Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine in 2018

NCD Country Profiles 2018 (Obesity Targets)

The profiles also provide data on the key metabolic risk factors, namely raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose and obesity and National Targets on Obesity (as of 2017)

Categories:Evidence of Obesity Target
Year(s):2017 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:World Health Organisation
References:Noncommunicable diseases country profiles 2018. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

Sri Lanka sugar levy

Sri Lanka imposed a sugar levy in 2017, which appears to have been reduced due to pressure from industry

Categories:Taxation/Subsidies on Food or Beverages or law relating to public health
Year(s):2017 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Find out more:apps.who.int
Linked document:Download linked document
References:Technical report on: Taxation for Sugar Sweetened Beverages in Sri Lanka. Colombo: World Health Organization, Country Office for Sri Lanka; 2017. Licence: CC BYNC-SA 3.0 IGO.

Guidelines for a Healthy Canteen in the Workplace

This guidance aims to create an environment that will encourage healthy lifestyles by promoting healthy food and drink in workplace canteens.

Categories:Evidence of Community Interventions/Campaign
Categories (partial):Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Year(s):2013 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults
Organisation:Ministry of Health
Find out more:www.health.gov.lk
Linked document:Download linked document

Food based dietary guidelines for Sri Lankans

Categories:Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Year(s):2011 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Ministry of Health
Find out more:www.health.gov.lk
Linked document:Download linked document
References:The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. http://www.fao.org/nutrition/education/food-based-dietary-guidelines/regions/countries/sri-lanka/en/ (last accessed 7 March 2016)

Food (Labelling and Advertising) Regulations 2005 - 1376/9

Government regulation 2005. Available in Sinhala, English & Tamil language

Categories:Labelling Regulation/Guidelines
Year(s):2005 (ongoing)
Organisation:Government
Linked document:Download linked document
References:Food (Labelling and Advertising) Regulations 2005 - 1376/9

GNPR 2016-17 (q7) Breastfeeeding promotion and/or counselling

WHO Global Nutrition Policy Review 2016-2017 reported the evidence of breastfeeding promotion and/or counselling (q7)

Categories:Evidence of Breastfeeding promotion or related activity
Target age group:Adults
Organisation:Ministry of Health (information provided by the GINA progam)
Find out more:extranet.who.int
References:Information provided with kind permission of WHO Global database on the Implementation of Nutrition Action (GINA): https://extranet.who.int/nutrition/gina/en

Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes: National Implementation of the International Code Status Report 2016 (Promotion of Breastfeeding)

The 2016 report provides information on the status of implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and subsequent relevant World Health Assembly resolutions (“the Code”) in and by countries. The report also identifies in which countries they actively promote the benefits of breastfeeding.

Categories:Evidence of Breastfeeding promotion or related activity
Target age group:Adults
Organisation:WHO UNICEF IBFAN
References:WHO. UNICEF. IBFAN. Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes: National Implementation of the International Code. Status Report 2016. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2016

No actions could be found for the above criteria.

Contextual factors

Disclaimer: These contextual factors should be interpreted with care. Results are updated as regularly as possible and use very specific criteria. The criteria used and full definitions are available for download at the bottom of this page.

Tap on a tick to find out more about policies influencing this factor.

Labelling

Is there mandatory nutrition labelling?Present
Front-of-package labelling?Present
Back-of-pack nutrition declaration?Absent
Color coding?Present
Warning label?Absent

Regulation and marketing

Are there fiscal policies on unhealthy products?Present
Tax on unhealthy foods?Present
Tax on unhealthy drinks?Present
Are there fiscal policies on healthy products?Absent
Subsidy on fruits?Absent
Subsidy on vegetables?Absent
Subsidy on other healthy products?Absent
Mandatory limit or ban of trans fat (all settings)?Absent
Mandatory limit of trans fats in place (all settings)? Absent
Ban on trans-fats or phos in place (all settings)? Absent
Are there any mandatory policies/marketing restrictions on the promotion of unhealthy food/drinks to children?Absent
Mandatory restriction on broadcast media?Absent
Mandatory restriction on non-broadcast media?Absent
Voluntary policies/marketing restrictions on the promotion of unhealthy food/drinks to children?Absent
Are there mandatory standards for food in schools?Absent
Are there any mandatory nutrient limits in any manufactured food products?Absent
Nutrition standards for public sector procurement?Absent

Political will and support

National obesity strategy or nutrition and physical activity national strategy?Present
National obesity strategy?Absent
National childhood obesity strategy?Present
Comprehensive nutrition strategy?Absent
Comprehensive physical activity strategy?Present
Evidence-based dietary guidelines and/or RDAs?Present
National target(s) on reducing obesity?Present
Guidelines/policy on obesity treatment?Absent
Promotion of breastfeeding?Present

Monitoring and surveillance

Monitoring of the prevalence and incidence for the main obesity-related NCDs and risk factors?Present
Within 5 years?Absent

Governance and resource

Multi-sectoral national co-ordination mechanism for obesity or nutrition (including obesity)?Absent

Key

Present
Present (voluntary)
Incoming
Absent
Unknown

Last updated September 13, 2022

See more policies here

Download contextual factors as a PDF Contextual factors definitions

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