Breakfast Habits, Free Nutritious Meal Acceptance, and Nutritional Status Among Students of Sinar Harapan Private Senior High School

Abstract

Background: Breakfast contributes to the fulfillment of daily energy and nutrient requirements among adolescents. The Free Nutritious Meal (Makan Bergizi Gratis/MBG) program is expected to support students’ nutritional intake at school, particularly among those who do not consume breakfast at home. Objective: This study aimed to describe breakfast habits, acceptance of the MBG program, and nutritional status among students of Sinar Harapan Private Senior High School. Methods: A descriptive quantitative study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 83 students in grades X and XI. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, food-waste weighing, and anthropometric measurements. Breakfast habits were assessed based on frequency, timing, and food type. MBG acceptance was assessed using a five-point hedonic test and food-waste observation for five days. Nutritional status was assessed based on body mass index-for-age (BMI/A) and height-for-age (HAZ). Data were analyzed descriptively using frequency distributions and percentages. Results: A total of 42 students (50.6%) did not consume breakfast, while 28 (33.7%) had good breakfast habits and 13 (15.7%) had less good habits. Most students liked the MBG menu (84.3%). During the five-day observation, an average of 92.6% of students consumed the meals completely. Most students had normal nutritional status based on BMI/A (78.3%) and HAZ (81.9%). Conclusions: Breakfast habits among students were still inadequate, whereas acceptance of the MBG program was good, as indicated by the high level of food liking and low proportion of uneaten food. Most students had normal nutritional.