Asian cities battle child malnutrition as junk food gains ground
Nutrition issues, such as stunting, malnutrition and obesity, remain a challenge for countries across the Asia-Pacific region, with experts seeing cities holding key roles in controlling unhealthy diets and promoting healthy ones.
Cities across the Asia-Pacific region are struggling with child malnutrition, as junk food and sugary diets continue to rise. Experts are emphasizing the crucial role urban areas can play in promoting healthier diets and discouraging unhealthy ones. The issue was discussed in a virtual media roundtable hosted by Vital Strategies, featuring mayors and experts from Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Sri Lanka's capital city, Colombo, has launched a municipal-wide healthy school canteen policy aimed at improving nutrition and addressing the growing problem of childhood obesity. Currently, around 80 schools are equipped with canteens registered under this policy. Colombo Mayor Vrajee Cally Balthazaar explained that the policy restricts canteen operators from serving unhealthy foods, replacing them with "cool meals" designed to be healthy for children.
However, she acknowledged that encouraging children to view these meals as appealing is a significant challenge.
The situation in Sri Lanka reflects a broader issue in the Global South, where malnutrition rates remain high. A 2025 UNICEF report revealed that the proportion of overweight children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 in the country tripled between 2000 and 2022. Similar trends were observed in Indonesia, while the Philippines also reported a rising trend in child obesity.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
