The Use Of Visual Media To Improve Understanding Of Balanced Nutrition In Elementary School Children: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Balanced nutrition was a crucial foundation in supporting the optimal growth and
development of elementary school-aged children. In Indonesia, challenges related to malnutrition and hidden hunger remained serious issues that affected the quality of life of future generations. School-aged children tended to become more independent in choosing their food; however, their limited understanding of nutrition often led to unhealthy choices. Therefore, nutrition
education became an urgent need and had to be presented through engaging and easily understandable approaches. This article aims to systematically review the effectiveness of visual media
in improving students’ understanding of balanced nutrition in on elementary schools’ students
in Indonesia. The method used was a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) based on the PRISMA
approach. Literature searches were conducted through the Google Scholar database using keywords such as "visual media," "balanced nutrition," and "elementary school students," limited
to SINTA-accredited journal publications from 2020 to 2025. Eight selected articles were analyzed. The findings showed that visual media such as comics, board games, posters, puzzles,
and picture books were effective in increasing students’ knowledge and attitudes toward healthy
food consumption. Strengthening nutrition literacy through visual media directly contributed to
the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), by preventing malnutrition and promoting healthy eating habits from an early age. This article provided recommendations for the development of more
engaging, participatory, and sustainable nutrition education strategies in elementary schools.