• LRH notes lack of minerals in addition to calories, proteins, vitamins  

State hospitals are providing therapies involving diet plans for children who are malnourished, it is learnt.

“Hospitals are providing therapies to make sure that children are not malnourished,” the Minister of Health, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana told The Daily Morning yesterday (5) in response to a query regarding treatments for malnourished children. “These therapies involve providing a healthy diet for children by having diet plans.”

However, Pathirana said that despite having high child malnourishment rates in the years 2022 and 2023 (last year), especially in the Nuwara Eliya District, the rates of child malnourishment have since gone down this year (in 2024).

Meanwhile, the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) confirmed that an assessment is made regarding the cause of malnourishment on a case by case basis before providing a specified diet. 

“Malnourishment is both over-nourishment and under-nourishment. We often provide a healthy diet consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fats as well as vitamins so that nutrients could be absorbed quickly,” Consultant Paediatrician at the LRH, Dr. Deepal Perera said. 

“We recommend simple but healthy food such as jackfruit, moringa, eggs and sprats as well as lime or lemon juice in order for children to get vitamin C,” Perera said that malnutrition can be caused by a lack of calories or protein or minerals or vitamins. 

“When we talk about a lack of minerals, a lack of iron, zinc and calcium is also seen,” Dr. Perera said. “Iron rich food is also very important such as green leaves and pulses.” 

Perera noted that malnutrition is measured by checking the weight and length of the child if the latter is two years of age or under; however, if the child is five years or older, an assessment is made using the body mass index (BMI). If the child is found to be malnourished, hospitals will assess a detailed dietary history as well as medical problems such as thyroid issues and urinary tract infections.

According to the BMI, an individual having a BMI less than 18.5 is considered underweight. According to the National Health Service, symptoms of malnourished children include irritability, anxiety and feeling tired.