<![CDATA[The Triple Burden of Malnutrition remains a major nutritional challenge among Indonesian adolescents, encompassing undernutrition, anemia, overweight, and obesity. Although the Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) Program has been introduced to improve adolescent nutritional status, evidence regarding the relationship between food acceptability and nutrient intake contribution remains limited. This study aimed to analyze the association between student characteristics, MBG food acceptability, and nutrient intake contribution among tenth-grade students at SMA Negeri 3 Surabaya. An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted involving 80 students. Food acceptability was assessed using a hedonic test, while nutrient intake contribution was measured using the visual Comstock method. Data were analyzed using the Chi-Square and Fisher’s Exact Tests. The results showed that age and pocket money were not significantly associated with nutrient intake contribution from the MBG Program (p>0.05). Gender was significantly associated with iron (p=0.00) and calcium (p=0.03) intake contribution but showed no significant association with energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, or vitamin C intake contribution (p>0.05). Food acceptability was also significantly associated with iron (p=0.00) and calcium (p=0.01) intake contribution, whereas no significant association was observed for the other nutrients (p>0.05). These findings indicate that nutrient contribution from the MBG Program is influenced more by menu nutrient composition and the amount of food consumed than by individual characteristics alone. Strengthening menu quality and improving food acceptability may enhance the nutritional contribution of the MBG Program among adolescents.]]>
