Ministry: Protein-Based Free Nutritious Meals Effective for Stunting Prevention

Yogyakarta (ANTARA) - The Secretary of the Ministry of Population and Family Development (Sesmendukbangga) and Secretary of the BKKBN, Budi Setiyono, stated the importance of serving protein-based Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) menus for the ‘3B’ target group—pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers—to ensure more effective stunting reduction interventions.

“From a nutritional fulfilment perspective, if the goal is stunting management, protein must be prioritised. While carbohydrates and vegetables are important, the priority should be protein, whether through eggs, meat, fish, or other menus that support adequate protein intake,” he said during a dialogue with Family Assistance Teams (TPK) in Kembang Basund, DI Yogyakarta, on Sunday.

In conjunction with the 33rd National Family Day (Harganas), Budi gathered proposals from the TPK to refine the MBG policy, specifically for the 3B group.

He emphasised that community-based discussions and field monitoring results can serve as concrete proposals for the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to refine the MBG policy, particularly in designing specialised menus for the 3B group.

“We need to identify MBG interventions for the 3B group that are more effective in the context of preventing high-risk pregnancies that lead to stunting, as well as preventing babies from being born with stunting, and supporting child growth up to the age of five. We will convey these findings during coordination stages, especially with the BGN, to ensure that the specialised menus for the 3B group are tailored to these specific needs,” Budi added.