What Does School-Based Nutritious Meals Program Reveal about Nutritional Status and Micronutrient Biomarkers in School-Aged Children? Implications for Indonesia’s MBG Program

Abstract

Nutritional problems among school-aged children in Indonesia continue to reflect a double burden of malnutrition, marked by the coexistence of undernutrition, overweight, and micronutrient deficiencies. In response, the Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis/MBG) Program was introduced as a cross-sectoral initiative that provides daily balanced meals designed to meet children’s energy, protein, and essential micronutrient requirements. Existing studies consistently suggest that school feeding interventions are associated with improvements in anthropometric indicators, including weight-for-age, height-for-age, and body mass index-for-age, as well as favorable changes in micronutrient biomarkers such as hemoglobin, ferritin, and serum vitamin A. These outcomes are supported by physiological mechanisms related to adequate intake of animal-based protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin C, which are essential for growth, cognitive function, and immune competence. Nevertheless, implementation quality influences program effectiveness, including food safety, menu diversity, consistency of meal provision, and intersectoral coordination. Limited local biomarker data remain a key challenge, underscoring the need for longitudinal evaluations to assess MBG's biological impact. Overall, the MBG Program has the potential to contribute to improving the nutritional status of school-aged children and supporting Indonesia’s long-term human capital development.