Jakarta (ANTARA) \u2013 National Nutrition Agency (BGN) chief Sudaryono\nsaid children\u2019s protein consumption had risen alongside the\nimplementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme.<\/p>\n
Sudaryono explained that the programme was intended not only to meet\nstudents\u2019 nutritious food needs, but also to increase protein\nconsumption and foster healthy eating habits from an early age.<\/p>\n
\u201cChildren\u2019s protein consumption has also increased with MBG, from, if\nI am not mistaken, 30 or 40 per cent to nearly 80 per cent,\u201d Sudaryono\nsaid after inspecting the distribution of MBG meals at Cot Meuraja State\nElementary School in Aceh Besar on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
In addition to improving protein consumption, MBG has also reduced\nthe number of students who arrive at school hungry. He said the\nproportion of students in that situation now stands at 14 per cent.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot assess students\u2019 circumstances based on those in the\ncapital or other big cities. This is an aggregate figure for the whole\nof Indonesia,\u201d Sudaryono said.<\/p>\n
He added that MBG was about more than providing food. The national\npriority programme was also intended to educate people about the\nimportance of a balanced diet.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not about giving food to teachers; rather, teachers are given\nmeals as part of nutrition education: why there should be fibre,\nvegetables and fruit, why children need to eat vegetables, and why\nchildren who do not like vegetables should learn to like them, among\nother things,\u201d Sudaryono said.<\/p>\n
He expressed hope that nutrition education in schools would help\nchildren understand the importance of eating a varied, balanced diet.\nThese habits could also be carried into the home.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bgn-chief-childrens-protein-consumption-rises-under-free-nutritious-meals-programme-1791899659", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }