Effect of school-based interactive nutrition promotion on knowledge and attitudes toward the free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) among junior high school students in West Aceh

Maiza Duana* -  Universitas Teuku Umar, Aceh Barat, Indonesia
Amiruddin Amiruddin -  Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Ambia Nurdin -  Universitas Abulyatama, Aceh Besar, Indonesia
Sri Maywati -  Universitas Siliwangi, Tasikmalaya, Jawa Barat, Indonesia
Saprizal Saprizal -  Universitas Teuku Umar, Aceh Barat, Indonesia
DOI : 10.30867/action.v11i1.3000

School-based nutrition promotion is essential for improving adolescents’ knowledge and attitudes toward healthy eating and government-supported nutrition programs. However, junior high school students have a limited understanding of and less favorable attitudes toward the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a six-week school-based interactive nutrition promotion intervention integrated into the MBG on students’ knowledge and attitudes in West Aceh, Indonesia. A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group was conducted among 277 students in grades VII–IX at the State Junior High School 3 Meulaboh. Participants were selected using proportionate stratified random sampling and assigned to the intervention (n = 140) and control (n = 137) groups. The intervention group received structured interactive nutrition education sessions, whereas the control group received only MBG. Knowledge and attitudes were measured using validated questionnaires, before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann–Whitney U tests. The results showed significant improvements in knowledge and attitude scores in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Integrating interactive nutrition promotion into school meal programs effectively enhances students’ understanding and attitudes, supporting the educational value and sustainability of the MBG.

Keywords : Adolescents, nutrition education, school-based intervention, free nutritious meal program, knowledge, attitude

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Open Access Copyright (c) 2026 Maiza Duana, Amiruddin, Ambia Nurdin, Sri Maywati, Safrizal
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AcTion: Aceh Nutrition Journal
Published by: Department of Nutrition at the Health Polytechnic of Aceh, Ministry of Health.
Soekarno-Hatta Street, No. 168. Health Polytechnic of Aceh, Aceh Besar, 23352. Telp/Fax: 0651 46126 / 0651 46121.
Website: https://gizipoltekkesaceh.ac.id/
E-mail: jurnal6121@gmail.com

e-issn: 2548-5741, p-issn: 2527-3310

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