Background As in many other Asian countries, Sri Lanka is in the phase of a rapid demographic, nutritional and epidemiological transition. As a result dietary habits and lifestyle are changing. These have led to new health problems in the region. Childhood overweight and obesity are examples of such problems.Objective To provide information on the nutritional status of 8-12 years old schoolchildren in an urban area of Sri Lanka.Subjects and methods Seven schools situated in the city of Colombo were randomly selected. They showed a fair representation of children of all social levels. Fifty students from each grade (years 4, 5, 6, 7) of each school were randomly selected. Their height was measured using a stadiometer to the closest 0.1cm and weight measured using an electronic weighing scale (Seca®, France) to the closest 100 g. Calibration was checked with a standard weight at each 25 measurements. Information regarding behaviour, feeding practices and socioeconomic factors were obtained by a questionnaire filled by the parent or the guardian. To define obesity and overweight, sex and age specific body mass index (BMI) criteria recommended by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) were used. The age and sex specific BMI 5th percentile from revised NCHS (2000) growth charts were used to define thinness. Weight and height Z score of less than -2 from the median of height for age and weight for age derived using the ANTHRO software (CDC, USA) were used to define stunting and underweight respectively. Data were analysed using EpiInfo 2000 (CDC, USA) computer package.Results Anthropometric data of 1 224 children (48% boys), and feeding practices and behaviour pattern data of 1 102 children (44% boys) were analysed. Obesity prevalence among boys (4.3%) was higher than in girls (3.1%). The prevalence of thinness was 24.7% in boys and 23.1% in girls. 5.1% of boys and 5.2% of girls were stunted. 7.0% of boys and 6.8% of girls were underweight. 66% of obese children and 43.5% of overweight children belonged to high-income category (monthly family income more than Rs. 20 000). Apart from family income, behaviour patterns did not significantly influence the nutritional status.Conclusions Although the data are not representative of the entire country, nutritional transition is evident in the city of Colombo. Obesity and overweight in older children are some emerging nutritional problems that may be the consequence of emerging patterns of the lifestyle and diet in response to social and cultural changes.

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Exposure to multiple supratherapeutic doses of paracetamol is a risk factor to develop fulminant hepatic failure in children with an acute viral like febrile illness.

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A prime obstacle faced by a medical educator is selecting the right student to be trained as a doctor, and the general consensus is that . this is a Iso the most difficult task. This stud y was designed to evaluate the effects of selected outcome measures on outcome performance of medical undergraduates of the University of Colombo.A retrospective cohort stud y was cond ucted using the performance (marks) of students of 4 batches GCE (AIL) 1993 through to 1996). GCE (AIL) aggregate marks, attempt of entry, district of entry, English language proficiency and sex were tested as predictors of success. Results of main assessments were considered as measures of success. Relationship between outcome measures and outcome predictors were assessed lIsing the multiple logistic regression model. Data of 699 students were analyzed and 82% of students entered from the Colombo district . A higher percentage of first Sellior Professora ttempters (at GCE AIL) performed well and obtained classes. Entering medical school from first two GCE A I L examination attempts was a significant positive predictor of passing any examination (odds ratio 3.2 to 7.5) or obtaining honors (odds ratio 2.8 to 16.0). Attempt of entry predicted 5 .4% of the outcome (pass or fail) in university performance. Correlation between the GCE A I L aggregate mark and the student's position in order of merit for the internship appointments was -0.37 (p<0.001).A combination of factors should be used in the selection process of students to embark on the undergraduate process as any single factor is a poor predictor of outcome of performance. We believe that the number of attempts allowed to sit forGCE A I L in order to gain entry to a medical school as well as other degree courses should be confined to two attempts.