Abstract:
53
HEALTH-RELATED DETERMINANTS OF CHILD
WASTING IN SRI LANKA
R. M. L. Rathnayake
Received: 21 October 2025 Revised: 11 November 2025 Accepted: 11 November 2025
How to Cite this Article: Rathnayake R. M. L. (2025). Health-Related Determinants of Child
Wasting In Sri Lanka, Journal of Economics, Statistics, and Information Management, 4(2),
53-70
Abstract
Child wasting remains a major developmental issue, affecting both social and
economic aspects in many developing nations. Wasting is one of the forms of
undernutrition which is evaluated through Weight For Height (WFH) Z score. It
refers to a child who is excessively thin for his or her height and is the result of recent
rapid weight loss or the failure to gain weight. This condition can occur due to
inadequate consumption of essential nutrients, including protein, calories, and
micronutrients, which are essential for proper growth and development. Wasted
children are at a higher risk of morbidity and mortality, and they may also experience
delayed cognitive and social-emotional development. It influenced badly for
economic and social development of any country. The objective of this study is to
examine the health-related factors of child wasting in Sri Lanka, focusing on the
Nuwara-Eliya district, which has the highest prevalence of wasting as measured by
Weight-for-Height (WFH). The primary data was gathered through a survey
conducted with a sample of 378 schoolchildren. The sample size was determined by
Morgan’s table. The multi-stage stratified random sampling technique was employed
to select the sample. The analysis utilized multiple binary logit model, descriptive
statistics, chi-square tests, Hosmer-Lemeshow tests, and likelihood ratio statistics.
The findings indicate that breastfeeding and unhealthy food are significant health
factors for child wasting. The model predicts that the probability of being wasted for
the children with breast feeding is less than 6 months is 0.47. Additionally, the model
predicts the probability of being wasted for the children having unhealthy food is 0.33
and it shows that 33% of the children having unhealthy food are suffering from
wasting. It is crucial for relevant authorities to address these health-related factors
in efforts to decrease child wasting in Sri Lanka.
