HEALTH-RELATED DETERMINANTS OF CHILD WASTING IN SRI LANKA

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.