Nutrition and healthy diets are fundamental to health and well-being across the life course. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), unhealthy diets are a major risk factor for disease and disability worldwide and contribute significantly to the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke and cancer. WHO highlights that healthy diets protect against malnutrition in all its forms while reducing the risk of diet-related NCDs through adequate, balanced, moderate and diverse food consumption. Globally, the nutrition landscape is increasingly characterized by a "triple burden of malnutrition," where undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies coexist with overweight, obesity and diet-related diseases.
Addressing nutrition inequities in estate communities
In Sri Lanka, estate sector communities remain among the most vulnerable populations, facing ongoing challenges related to child undernutrition, food insecurity, limited dietary diversity, and unhealthy lifestyle practices. These challenges are shaped by social, economic and environmental factors that influence access to healthy foods and health information. To address these gaps, WHO Sri Lanka supported the development and implementation of a community-focused programme to strengthen the knowledge, skills and confidence of frontline community workers who engage directly with families and communities. The initiative aligned with WHO's life-course approach, health promotion priorities and commitment to leaving no one behind.
Building the capacity of frontline community workers
The programme was implemented through a series of three-day residential workshops conducted in Hatton, Nuwara Eliya and Kegalle in July, August & September 2026. Led by the Estate and Urban Health Unit of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, the programme brought together Community Development Officers (CDOs) and Plantation Family Welfare Officers (PFWOs) from the Plantation Human Development Trust (PHDT), as well as other stakeholders working with estate communities. The training was supported by a standardized mini-curriculum developed through a consultative process involving WHO, national technical agencies and experts in nutrition, health promotion and community well-being.
/countries/sri-lanka/community-field-workers-engaging-and-presenting-their-group-work-during-the-training.jpg?sfvrsn=396fad18_4 "Community field workers engaging and presenting their group work during the training")
Community Development Officers (CDOs) and Plantation Family Welfare Officers (PFWOs) engaging in the training and presenting their group work.
Participants were equipped with practical knowledge on nutrition, healthy food habits, healthy lifestyles and behaviour change communication approaches. Emphasis was placed on translating technical information into simple, culturally appropriate messages that could effectively reach families in estate communities. The training also sought to strengthen community-level ownership of health promotion activities by empowering frontline workers as agents of change within their respective communities.
Promoting healthier food choices through community engagement
A key component of the programme focused on improving food choices and eating habits. Facilitators from Youth for a Healthier and Active Population (YouPAH) conducted highly interactive sessions that encouraged participants to understand food labels, distinguish between minimally processed and ultra-processed foods, and identify practical ways to improve household diets using affordable and locally available foods.
/countries/sri-lanka/foods-prepared-by-cdos-and-pfwos-as-a-part-of-their-healthy-lifestyle-training-programme.jpg?sfvrsn=952f0f7f_4 "Foods prepared by CDOs and PFWOs as a part of their healthy lifestyle training programme")
Two different foods prepared by community field workers during the practical sessions on healthy diets, aimed at encouraging affordable, nutritious, locally available foods in their communities.
Following the workshops, trained participants reported conducting discussions within their communities to encourage healthier food choices and dietary practices. Community sessions included practical demonstrations, group discussions and the use of recipe books designed to promote nutritious and affordable meals. Feedback from participants highlighted increased community interest in healthy eating practices and greater awareness of healthier alternatives to highly processed foods.
Strengthening partnerships for sustainable change
The success of the programme was made possible through strong multisectoral collaboration. The Estate and Urban Health Unit worked closely with WHO Sri Lanka, the Plantation Human Development Trust (PHDT), YouPAH and other stakeholders to design and implement the initiative. Contributions from government agencies, civil society organizations and community partners ensured that the training programme was responsive to the realities and needs of estate communities.
/countries/sri-lanka/group-photo-of-cfw-during-estate-health-training.jpeg?sfvrsn=c9c43e05_4 "Group photo of CFW during estate health training")
A group photo of the newly trained Community Development Officers (CDOs) and Plantation Family Welfare Officers (PFWOs) in the Hatton area in July 2026.
The workshops also provided opportunities for Tamil-language facilitation and culturally sensitive approaches, ensuring that participants could fully engage with the training content and effectively communicate key health messages within their communities. This inclusive approach contributed to greater relevance, ownership and sustainability of the intervention.
Creating a foundation for healthier communities
The initiative contributes to Sri Lanka's broader efforts to improve nutrition outcomes, prevent diet-related noncommunicable diseases and reduce health inequities among vulnerable populations. By strengthening the capacity of community field workers, the programme has established a sustainable platform for delivering evidence-based nutrition and healthy lifestyle interventions at household and community levels.
WHO remains committed to supporting Sri Lanka in strengthening community-based health promotion efforts and advancing equitable access to nutrition and health information. Empowering frontline community workers and fostering community ownership of healthy behaviours will play an important role in creating healthier futures for estate sector families and ensuring that all communities can achieve better health and well-being.
Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to Sri Lanka, noted:
"Sustainable improvements in nutrition and health begin within communities. By empowering Community Development Officers, Plantation Family Welfare Officers and other frontline workers with the knowledge and skills to promote healthy food choices and lifestyles, we are investing in local leadership that can drive lasting change.
This initiative demonstrates the importance of community-based approaches in addressing health inequities and ensuring that even the most vulnerable populations have the opportunity to achieve better health and well-being. WHO remains committed to supporting Sri Lanka's efforts to build healthier, more resilient estate communities and advance the goal of leaving no one behind."