By Rathindra Kuruwita

Studying the reports and data from regional health officials show that in certain parts of the country, children have started losing weight rapidly, Prof. G.N. Duminda Guruge, Professor in Health Promotion of the Rajarata University says.Nutrition, especially children’s nutrition, was among the most affected by the country’s severe economic crisis, he said.

“Some pelple say no matter what happens Sri Lankans will survive by eating ‘something.’ This is true. I am sure most people can find something to eat. Yes, the number of meals and the quantity of each meal have decreased for most, but most people eat something. However, one needs to obtain the right amount of nutrition if they are to be assured of long-term wellbeing,” Prof. Guruge said.

Health staff do a lot and those at the grassroots know the gravity of not taking proper nutrition. Health staff at the grassroots check up on children monthly and take measurements, he said.

“Compared to previous years, the number of children who are seriously underweight has increased in certain parts of the country. Weight is not the only thing to worry about, we must also think of the height of children. This is an aspect that is widely ignored, even by parents,” he said.

Prof. Guruge said that he is not certain if the decision makers of the country have felt the gravity of these developments. Nutrition of children is actually an issue that will be felt inter-generationally, he said.

“We are not thinking long term. We are trying to see if we can solve this issue by distributing some goods. Of course, we need to do this to manage the situation in the long term. However, what is our long-term plan? We must use new technologies and empower people. This is the best approach for community health,” he said.Prof. Guruge said that people of the country must feel the need for improved nutrition and wellbeing of the children. At times, officials in charge of health at grassroots are more concerned about the nutrition of children than parents, he said.

“Is this a problem of education? Or are we not communicating properly? We need to educate people in a manner that they understand, and we must also show respect to people,” he said.

Prof Guruge noted that most rural children do get carbohydrates through rice or some tubers. However, they are not getting enough protein because they are expensive.

“We must look at sources of protein that are cheaper and can be accessed where they live. However, changing food habits is not easy. We must look at how these habits have come about. Habits are created. People eat highly processed sugary and starchy food and even during this time of crisis most families spend about 6,000 rupees on these items. An egg is about 60 rupees. You can eat 100 eggs with the money you spend on processed food that is bad for you. Even when eggs were 10 rupees some people didn’t eat enough eggs, but they ate processed food,” he said.

Prof. Guruge said that alcoholism that prevails in certain parts of the country, has also contributed to the malnutrition of children.

“Fathers come home intoxicated and abuse the mothers. Such mothers are often not in a state to worry too much about the needs of children. However, this can only be stopped by community intervention,” he said.

An estimated 6.2 million people (28 per cent of the population) are moderately acute food insecure, while 66,000 people are severely acute food insecure, according to UNICEF. UNICEF said that 41.8 percent of families spend more than 75 per cent of their expenditures on food. This leaves little to spend on health and education. Many families have exhausted their savings and are struggling due to crippling inflation, UNICEF said.