Childhood nutritional problems, such as stunting and malnutrition, remain a serious challenge in Indonesia. To understand how policies can address this, a new study analyzed household food consumption patterns across Indonesia using 2023 Susenas data. This research specifically aims to provide evidence-based input for the upcoming Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program.
Key findings indicate that less prosperous households allocate a larger proportion of their expenditure to food, making them the group that would benefit most from this program. Additionally, the study identified that households with school-aged children tend to have higher patterns of unhealthy food consumption. This underscores the strategic relevance of the Free Nutritious Meal Program, particularly by targeting school-aged children as a top priority to encourage nutritional improvement and healthy eating habits across all segments of society.
