Nordic everyday habits are less healthy than ten years ago

Today, the Nordic Council of Ministers a new joint Nordic monitoring survey of diet, physical activity, overweight and nicotine use in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. DTU National Food Institute has led the project and played a central role in the Danish contribution to the survey, which shows that people in the Nordic countries overall live less healthily today than we did ten years ago.

Nordic everyday habits are less healthy than ten years ago. Photo: Colourbox

Monday 01 December 2025

Dorte Egelund

In collaboration with researchers from Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, DTU National Food Institute has carried out the third joint Nordic population survey for the Nordic Council of Ministers. The survey is based on data from 2014 and 2024 and includes both children and adults in the five Nordic countries, showing that everyday habits overall are moving in a less healthy direction.

Summary of the main findings

  • people in the Nordic countries eat fruit and vegetables less often than ten years ago
  • the intake of wholegrain products and fish is still below the recommended levels
  • soft drinks – including sugar-free and low-calorie varieties – are consumed more often than before
  • sweets and other sugary foods account for a larger share of total energy intake.

At the same time, more children and adults are living with overweight or obesity, and a large proportion of both children and adults do not reach the recommended level of physical activity.

Read more


See the full report: NORMO 2025 https://pub.norden.org/nord2025-026/

See also the National Food Institute’s topic page on nutrition and dietary https://www.food.dtu.dk/english/topics/nutrition-and-dietary-habits

Facts

The survey methodology

The population survey monitors developments in the Nordic countries among children (7-12 years) and adults (18-65 years) in relation to diet, physical activity and overweight, as well as alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products. Data were collected in 2011, 2014 and 2024 in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

The survey is a repeated cross-sectional study based on random samples drawn from the national population registers. In 2024, approximately 1,000 adults and 500 children were invited to participate in each country. Data were collected using a combination of computer-assisted telephone interviews and online questionnaires (mixed-mode), and responses were weighted by age, sex and education so that the results are representative at population level in each country and can be compared across the Nordic region.
 

Contact

Sisse Fagt

Sisse Fagt Senior adviser Phone: +45 35887422

Food production Nutrition and dietary habits