Latest survey reports have revealed that obesity levels of school children in the Colombo district, have increased to 8%, says Dr. Chithramalee De Silva, Director Maternal and Child Health at the Family Health Bureau.

She points out that due to the difficulty of buying protein-rich foods, children tend to consume more carbohydrate-rich foods and this is a reason for the increase in obesity levels.

The trend of rising child obesity levels will have a negative impact on their future lead to an increased number of people infected with non-communicable diseases, Dr. De Silva says.

She also warns that in this backdrop, it will be impossible to prevent diabetes, high blood pressure and heart issues in the future.

Dr. de Silva therefore recommends to provide more protein-rich foods instead of carb-rich foods to children to prevent obesity.