Abstract:
Malnutrition is a universal issue holding back development with unacceptable
human consequences. Background as in many other Asian countries, Sri
Lanka is in the phase of a rapid demographic, Nutritional and epidemiological
nutritional transition occurring with socioeconomic development and
urbanization. The effect of malnutrition is globally recognized as being
devastating and far-reaching. Malnutrition in Sri Lanka takes many forms and
is widespread. While the national prevalence of stunting dropped dramatically
over the decades, progress has stalled in recent years and wasting is at the level
of a major public health issue. The main objective of this study is to identify
the socio-economic factors affect urban child malnutrition in Sedawatta GND.
This research is a mix method research. Hence to achieve the target, 50
households were selected through simple random sampling method. The
structured questionnaire has been used to collect the primary data as well as
journals, books, articles, research papers, organizations reports that have been
selected to the secondary data. Both primary and secondary data have been
analysed under descriptive statistical methods and results have been illustrated
by graphs and tables. This study reveals that the main reasons for urban child
malnutrition are low income, unemployment, illiterate, early marriages, less
access for health and sanitation and less attention to the nutrition status of
children in households. According to the researcher, empowerment of
households organized awareness programs to make an attitude change of
dietary habits are the main suggestion for eradicating urban child malnutrition.
