Indonesia\u2019s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, which has been\noperating for a year, is assessed as capable of fostering positive\neating habits among Indonesian children. A study by the Research\nInstitute of Socio-Economic Development (RISED) has documented changes\nin the eating routines of MBG recipient children.<\/p>\n
RISED Director M. Fajar Rachmadi stated that approximately 80 per\ncent of parents surveyed by RISED researchers reported that, following\nthe introduction of MBG, their children became more consistent in\nconsuming nutritious food.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe RISED survey findings are interesting, as they reveal new facts\nfrom the field that had not previously been fully documented,\u201d Fajar\nsaid in a statement on Friday, 27 February 2026.<\/p>\n
Fajar further explained how his team obtained an in-depth\nunderstanding from the survey they recently conducted. He acknowledged\nthat one key finding from their detailed questions to parents of MBG\nrecipient students was the recognition that parents bear responsibility\nfor meeting their children\u2019s nutritional and dietary needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe presence of MBG actually provides peace of mind to families\nwhilst their children are at school, and our survey shows that 55 per\ncent of parents agree that their children\u2019s eating habits changed to\nbecome less selective about food following the MBG programme,\u201d Fajar\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The RISED survey involved approximately 1,800 parents and provided an\ninitial picture of the programme\u2019s daily micro-effects. One key finding\nshowed that 81 per cent of parents from disadvantaged families expressed\nsupport for the continuation of MBG.<\/p>\n
\u201cInterestingly, when children can receive meals at school, parents\nalso feel reassured. This reassurance arises because the parents we\nsurveyed are confident that their children are regularly receiving\nnutritious meals through the MBG programme,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Consistent with the RISED team\u2019s findings, Dr Andi Khomeini Takdir,\nan internal medicine specialist, believes that regular provision of\nnutritious meals has the potential to form better eating habits in\nchildren.<\/p>\n
Daily exposure to the diverse MBG menu is assessed as helping\nchildren more readily accept food variety. He considers the healthy food\nintervention through MBG to be a good idea for improving children\u2019s\neating patterns, including children from upper-middle-class families who\nhave hitherto been assumed to receive good nutritious food at home.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/free-nutritious-meals-programme-assessed-as-helping-improve-childrens-eating-habits-1772175635", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }