Sri Lanka
Lower-middle income
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- 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).
Report cards
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Population breakdowns
Drivers
Comorbidities
Economic impact
Policies
Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2022
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-60 |
| Sample size: | 2352 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | National Nutrition and Micronutrient Survey in Sri Lanka: 2022 https://www.mri.gov.lk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/National-Nutrition-and-Micronutrient-Survey-Sri-Lanka-2022.pdf (Accessed 26.09.23) |
| Notes: | 1560 women and 792 men NB. Combined adult data estimated. These estimates were calculated by weighting male and female survey results. Weighting based on World Bank Population % total female 2022 (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL.FE.ZS - accessed 29.09.23) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2021
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-69 |
| Sample size: | 6267 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Sri Lanka STEPS Survey 2021 Fact Sheet https://www.ncd.health.gov.lk/images/pdf/Steps-Fact-Sheet.pdf (Accessed 21.07.23) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
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. | |
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. | |
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: | The data from this paper was sourced from the Demographic Health Survey Programme https://dhsprogram.com/ Central Statistical Office and Macro International. Calverton, Maryland, USA 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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
Children, 2024
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-17 |
| Sample size: | 2912 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey, Sri Lanka 2024 Fact Sheet. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/2024-gshs-fact-sheet-sri-lanka (Accessed: 12.06.25) |
| Cutoffs: | WHO 2007 |
Children, 2022
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-9 |
| Sample size: | 667 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | National Nutrition and Micronutrient Survey in Sri Lanka: 2022 https://www.mri.gov.lk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/National-Nutrition-and-Micronutrient-Survey-Sri-Lanka-2022.pdf (Accessed 26.09.23) |
| Notes: | Small sample size. Report provides prevalence by age but given small sample sizes they are not reported here. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2022
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 10-17 |
| Sample size: | 484 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | National Nutrition and Micronutrient Survey in Sri Lanka: 2022 https://www.mri.gov.lk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/National-Nutrition-and-Micronutrient-Survey-Sri-Lanka-2022.pdf (Accessed 26.09.23) |
| Notes: | Small sample size. Report provides prevalence by age by given small sample sizes they are not reported here. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 10-18 |
| Sample size: | 2570 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Jayatissa R, Fervando D.N, Perera A, De Alwis N, National Nutrition and Micronutrient Survey among school adolescents aged 10-18 years in Sri Lanka 2017. Medical research Institute, Ministry of Health, Colombo 2019 |
| Definitions: | BMI-for-age-sex between 1 SD and 2SD as overweight and BMI-for-age-sex >2SD as obesity. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-12 |
| Sample size: | 8405 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | 2017 Nutritional Status, Dietary Practices and Pattern of Physical Activity Among School Children Aged 6-12 Years https://www.mri.gov.lk/assets/Nutrition/2017-NUTRITIONAL-STATUS-DIETARY-PRACTICES-AND-PATTERN-OF-PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY-A....pdf (accessed 29.09.23) |
| Cutoffs: | WHO 2007 |
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 |
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 |
0-5 years, 2024
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Sri Lanka 2024 Nutrition Month Survey |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight estimates: National and Disaggregated, July 2025, New York. Weighted sample size. For more information, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme/. |
| Definitions: | Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Cutoffs: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2023
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Sri Lanka 2023 Nutrition Month Survey |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight estimates: National and Disaggregated, July 2025, New York. Weighted sample size. For more information, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme/. |
| Definitions: | Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Cutoffs: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2022
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 1346 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | National Nutrition and Micronutrient Survey in Sri Lanka: 2022 https://www.mri.gov.lk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/National-Nutrition-and-Micronutrient-Survey-Sri-Lanka-2022.pdf (Accessed 26.09.23 |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
0-5 years, 2022
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Sri Lanka 2022 Nutrition Month Survey |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight estimates: National and Disaggregated, July 2025, New York. Weighted sample size. For more information, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme/. |
| Definitions: | Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Cutoffs: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2021
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Sri Lanka 2021 Nutrition Month Survey |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight estimates: National and Disaggregated, July 2025, New York. Weighted sample size. For more information, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme/. |
| Definitions: | Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Cutoffs: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2020
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Sri Lanka 2020 Nutrition Month Survey |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight estimates: National and Disaggregated, July 2025, New York. Weighted sample size. For more information, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme/. |
| Definitions: | Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Cutoffs: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2019
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Sri Lanka 2019 Nutrition Month Survey |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight estimates: National and Disaggregated, July 2025, New York. Weighted sample size. For more information, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme/. |
| Definitions: | Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Cutoffs: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 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 |
0-5 years, 2016
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 7823 |
| References: | DHS-Style: Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey 2016 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2012
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 7305 |
| References: | Other: Sri Lanka National Nutrition and Micronutrient Survey 2012 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2009
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 2589 |
| References: | NNS: Nutrition and food security survey 2009. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Medical Research Institute, 2010. |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2006-2007
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 6738 |
| References: | DHS: Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey 2006-07. Colombo, Sri Lanka: DCS and MOH, 2009 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2000
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 2374 |
| References: | DHS-Style: Sri Lanka demographic and health survey 2000. Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2001 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 1993
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 3077474048 |
| References: | DHS-Style: Sri Lanka demographic and health survey 1993. Colombo, Sri Lanka, 1995 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 1987
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 2000 |
| References: | DHS: Sri Lanka demographic and health survey 1987. Demographic and Health Surveys. Colombo, Sri Lanka, 1987 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
% Adults living with obesity in Sri Lanka 2006-2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 2006: 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. 2009: 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). 2016: 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) |
| Notes: | Aged 15-49 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
% Adults living with overweight or obesity in Sri Lanka 2006-2016
| References: | 2006: 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. 2009: 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). 2016: 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) |
| Notes: | Aged 15-49 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
