Keywords
Learning concentration
Nutritional status
Program implementation
How to Cite
Abstract
Nutritional problems in Indonesia, including stunting and micronutrient deficiencies, remain major challenges affecting the quality of human resources. The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) was introduced as a strategic intervention to improve nutritional status and support students’ learning. However, existing studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding its effects on nutritional outcomes and school attendance, while evidence on program implementation remains fragmented. Therefore, a comprehensive synthesis of recent evidence is needed to better understand the effectiveness and challenges of MBG implementation. This study aims to systematically analyze the effectiveness and implementation of MBG based on recent scientific evidence. A systematic review using the PRISMA approach was conducted by searching Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus for articles published between 2025 and 2026. Seven eligible studies were analyzed descriptively based on their characteristics and key findings. The results indicate that MBG consistently improves students’ motivation, concentration, and participation. However, its impact on attendance is limited, especially when baseline attendance is already high. Effects on nutritional status are mixed and generally not significant, as they are influenced by factors such as home diet, health conditions, and environment. Program success largely depends on implementation quality, including menu adequacy, distribution systems, and cross-sector coordination. Key challenges include limited infrastructure, unequal distribution, and weak monitoring and evaluation. In conclusion, MBG shows strong potential to enhance learning-related behaviors but requires improved implementation and a more comprehensive approach to achieve significant and long-term nutritional outcomes.References
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