Jakarta (ANTARA) \u2013 National Nutrition Agency (BGN) head Sudaryono\nsaid fewer students were going to school hungry since the Free\nNutritious Meals (MBG) programme began.<\/p>\n
Sudaryono, popularly known as Mas Dar, said research data showed that\nthe proportion of students arriving at school hungry had fallen from 56%\nto 16% following the programme\u2019s implementation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThankfully, with the MBG programme, the figure has fallen from 56%\nof students going to school hungry to 16%, a reduction of 50%. We hope\nit can continue to fall to zero, so that no children go to school\nhungry,\u201d he said at the inauguration of a Nutrition Fulfilment Service\nUnit (SPPG) serving disadvantaged, frontier and outermost (3T) areas in\nAceh Besar on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
As well as meeting food needs, MBG is associated with increased\nconsumption of animal protein among students. According to data\npresented by Sudaryono, consumption of animal protein rose from 26%\nbefore the programme to 84% after it began.<\/p>\n
The increase underscores the importance of making nutritious food\navailable to school-age children. Animal protein, including eggs, fish,\nchicken and meat, is part of the diet needed to support children\u2019s\ngrowth and development.<\/p>\n
Consumption patterns for fruit and vegetables have also changed.\nSudaryono said the rate of fruit and vegetable consumption, previously\n65%, had risen to 90% since MBG was implemented.<\/p>\n
However, meeting nutritional needs depends on more than the\navailability of food at school. Establishing healthy eating habits also\nrequires ongoing education so that students understand the role of\ndifferent food groups and become accustomed to eating a balanced\ndiet.<\/p>\n
Mas Dar therefore emphasised the importance of teachers and parents\nhelping children understand their nutritional needs. This education is\nexpected to encourage children to eat a variety of foods, including\nvegetables and fruit, both at school and at home.<\/p>\n
BGN considers improved access to nutritious food and stronger\nnutrition education to be complementary. In this way, MBG\u2019s benefits\nwill come not only from providing meals, but also from fostering better\neating habits among future generations.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bgn-fewer-students-go-hungry-at-school-since-free-nutritious-meals-programme-began-1791993104", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }