Journal of Social Statistics

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Author: search.filters.author.Jayawardana, Y.W.

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    Impact of the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and food intake patterns on obesity among undergraduates in Sri Lanka
    (Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Jayawardana, Y.W.; Madhubhashini, A.A.P.M.; Madhushani, P.A.G.; Marapana, M.B.M.R.C.S.
    The rates of overweight and obesity are rising to epidemic proportions among the adults worldwide leading to a substantial increase in health risks associated with weight. Similarly, overweight and obesity rates in Sri Lanka has also been on a growing trend within the recent past. Addressing the current situation, this study aims to identify the factors of obesity among the undergraduates in Sri Lanka, particularly with regard to the relationship between BMI and food intake patterns. A sample of 500 undergraduates from University of Kelaniya who currently live with their parents, in hostels and boarding houses were selected using simple random sampling. Survey was carried out in representing the students Data collection was conducted by a self-administered questionnaire. Measures of heights and weights were used to calculate BMI (weight/height2) where BMI ≥25.0-29.9 and ≥30.0 was defined as overweight and obese respectively. Eating frequency and nutritional values of food was used to calculate calorie, fat, carbohydrate and fat intake per day. Out of the sample, 20.04 percent had BMI<18.5(underweight), 42.91 percent were BMI between 18.5-24.9 (normal weight), 18.83 percent were between 25.0- 29.9 (overweight) and 18.22 percent were BMI 30.0 or above (obese). Findings of this study identified that 18.8 percent and 18.2 percent of the study sample are overweight and obese respectively. Multiple regression and the independent t test revealed that the higher level of protein intake and lack of awareness among the participants as the factors that are directly associated with the obesity. Increasing level of overweight and obesity among the youth indicates the important role of health professionals in improving awareness, encouraging positive lifestyle and promoting preventative measures of unhealthy food culture among undergraduates in Sri Lanka.
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    Study on the factors affecting private investments in Sri Lanka
    (Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Kodithuwakku, D.S.; Jayawardana, Y.W.; Jayawardhana, M.N.; Muhandiramge, K.M.R.R.; Dulani, K.P.K.
    Today it’s widely accepted that private sector is a key engine of economic growth in any country across the globe. As a part of private sector, private investments also plays a greater role particularly within developing countries who are very much in need of capital resources as well as skilled labor, new technology and innovation in achieving faster growth. Sri Lanka still being a developing country is no exception to this. Therefore, considering the role of private investments in Sri Lanka, this study aims to identify the factors affecting private investments within Sri Lankan economy. The study was based on secondary data covering the period from 1975 to 2015. Findings derived from regression model and correlation coefficients of the study have revealed that real GDP growth, real exchange rate, inflation rate, budget deficit, foreign trade, foreign direct investment and liberalization factor are positively associated with private investments. It has further been identified that out of all the independent variables, foreign direct investment is the most affecting factor to private investments in Sri Lanka whereas the liberalization factor is the least affecting factor. The relationship between liberalization factor and private investments denotes the less importance of export and import industry in determining private investments in Sri Lanka. Therefore, in conclusion, this study emphasizes that foreign direct investment, real exchange rate and foreign trade play significant roles as factors in determining private investments.