Overview of results by subgroup and country
Overall Findings
Across the Nordic Region, 2024 data show mixed progress. Diet quality declined since 2014, with reduced consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and increased intake of discretionary foods and drinks. In 2024, consumption of fruits, vegetables, pulses, whole grains, and fish is low and discretionary items are high, particulary beverages, while meat intake is relatively high. Physical activity levels remain below recommendations for many adults and children, and sedentary behaviour is high. Overweight and obesity are widespread. Alcohol consumption remains stable overall but varies between countries. Smoking declined, while use of snuff and nicotine pouches increased, maintaining stable nicotine exposure. Differences by gender, age, and education persist across domains.
Adults
Gender
Women reported higher intake of fruits and vegetables than men, and lower consumption of of meat, whole-grain bread, and sugary beverages. Women consumed more discretionary foods such as chocolate and sweets. Physical inactivity was similar across genders, but men reported slightly higher alcohol intake and greater use of snuff and nicotine pouches. Smoking was more common among women in some countries, but the differences were not statistically significant.
Age Group (18–29, 30–44, 45–65 years)
Adults aged 18–29 years reported the least favourable dietary patterns, with higher intake of meat, energy drinks, and discretionary beverages and lower intake of fish and whole-grain bread. Adults aged 30–44 years had the highest intake of fruits and vegetables, while those aged 45–65 years reported higher consumption of whole-grain bread and fish and lower intake of meat and discretionary drinks. Physical activity tended to increase slightly with age, though overweight and obesity were most prevalent among those aged 45–65 years. Younger adults showed higher rates of alcohol use and nicotine pouch consumption, while daily smoking was more common among older adults.
Education (Low, Medium, High)
Adults with higher education had healthier dietary patterns than those with medium or low education, reporting higher intake of fruits, vegetables, pulses, and fish and lower intake of meat and sugary drinks. Those with higher education also showed lower prevalence of overweight and obesity and lower rates of daily smoking and nicotine use. Adults with low education reported less physical activity and higher intake of discretionary foods and drinks. Educational inequalities were consistent across all countries.
Children
Gender
No statistically significant gender differences were observed for most food groups among children. Physical activity and screen time did not differ meaningfully by gender. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was similar among boys and girls.
Parental Education (Low/Medium, High)
Children of parents with high education reported healthier dietary patterns, including higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and pulses and lower intake of discretionary drinks. Children of parents with lower education reported higher consumption of discretionary drinks and also of light or sugar-free beverages. Overweight and obesity were more prevalent among children of parents with lower education.
Denmark
Denmark shows both progress and challenges. Whole-grain bread intake remains relatively high, but fruit and vegetable intake has fallen since 2014. Meat and discretionary food and drink consumption are among the highest in the region, while dairy intake is relatively low. Alcohol consumption frequency and volume are the highest in the Nordic Region, and binge drinking is widespread. Danish adults are among the least inactive. Children have low physical activity levels and the steepest rise in overweight and obesity since 2014. Daily smoking is high. Use of nicotine pouches and e-cigarette is higher among younger adults. Education gaps are pronounced across all behaviours, suggesting persistent social disparities in health.
Overall Findings
Across the Nordic Region, 2024 data show mixed progress. Diet quality declined since 2014, with reduced consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and increased intake of discretionary foods and drinks. In 2024, consumption of fruits, vegetables, pulses, whole grains, and fish is low and discretionary items are high, particulary beverages, while meat intake is relatively high. Physical activity levels remain below recommendations for many adults and children, and sedentary behaviour is high. Overweight and obesity are widespread. Alcohol consumption remains stable overall but varies between countries. Smoking declined, while use of snuff and nicotine pouches increased, maintaining stable nicotine exposure. Differences by gender, age, and education persist across domains.
Adults
Gender
Women reported higher intake of fruits and vegetables than men, and lower consumption of of meat, whole-grain bread, and sugary beverages. Women consumed more discretionary foods such as chocolate and sweets. Physical inactivity was similar across genders, but men reported slightly higher alcohol intake and greater use of snuff and nicotine pouches. Smoking was more common among women in some countries, but the differences were not statistically significant.
Age Group (18–29, 30–44, 45–65 years)
Adults aged 18–29 years reported the least favourable dietary patterns, with higher intake of meat, energy drinks, and discretionary beverages and lower intake of fish and whole-grain bread. Adults aged 30–44 years had the highest intake of fruits and vegetables, while those aged 45–65 years reported higher consumption of whole-grain bread and fish and lower intake of meat and discretionary drinks. Physical activity tended to increase slightly with age, though overweight and obesity were most prevalent among those aged 45–65 years. Younger adults showed higher rates of alcohol use and nicotine pouch consumption, while daily smoking was more common among older adults.
Education (Low, Medium, High)
Adults with higher education had healthier dietary patterns than those with medium or low education, reporting higher intake of fruits, vegetables, pulses, and fish and lower intake of meat and sugary drinks. Those with higher education also showed lower prevalence of overweight and obesity and lower rates of daily smoking and nicotine use. Adults with low education reported less physical activity and higher intake of discretionary foods and drinks. Educational inequalities were consistent across all countries.
Children
Gender
No statistically significant gender differences were observed for most food groups among children. Physical activity and screen time did not differ meaningfully by gender. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was similar among boys and girls.
Parental Education (Low/Medium, High)
Children of parents with high education reported healthier dietary patterns, including higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and pulses and lower intake of discretionary drinks. Children of parents with lower education reported higher consumption of discretionary drinks and also of light or sugar-free beverages. Overweight and obesity were more prevalent among children of parents with lower education.
Denmark
Denmark shows both progress and challenges. Whole-grain bread intake remains relatively high, but fruit and vegetable intake has fallen since 2014. Meat and discretionary food and drink consumption are among the highest in the region, while dairy intake is relatively low. Alcohol consumption frequency and volume are the highest in the Nordic Region, and binge drinking is widespread. Danish adults are among the least inactive. Children have low physical activity levels and the steepest rise in overweight and obesity since 2014. Daily smoking is high. Use of nicotine pouches and e-cigarette is higher among younger adults. Education gaps are pronounced across all behaviours, suggesting persistent social disparities in health.
Norway
Norway continues to perform relatively well on several indicators. Diets include higher intakes of whole-grain bread and fish and lower intakes of meat and discretionary foods. However, discretionary drink consumption and dairy intake remain high. Alcohol use is moderate, and binge drinking has declined since 2014. Physical inactivity among adults is close to the regional average, but social inequalities are strong—those with lower education levels are far less active and more sedentary. Overweight and obesity have increased modestly, and daily nicotine pouch use among men is among the highest in the Nordic Region.
Sweden
Sweden shows both progress and challenges, with low intakes of meat and discretionary foods and drinks, and relatively moderate alcohol use. However, whole-grain bread and fish intake are below the Nordic average, and fruit and vegetable intake has declined. Adult overweight and obesity remain lower than in other countries, but both are increasing. Smoking prevalence is low, yet snuff use is common, especially among men, and overall nicotine exposure remains substantial. Physical inactivity and sedentary time are moderate compared with neighbouring countries, but educational inequalities persist, and younger adults show higher screen time and energy drink use.
Finland
Finland performs well on several dietary indicators, higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain bread, and lower discretionary consumption than most Nordic peers. However, dairy and meat intake remain high, and fish intake is below the Nordic average. Alcohol use has declined over the decade, driven by reduced frequency of drinking, yet binge drinking and obesity have both increased. Physical activity levels are stable and relatively high, but inactivity remains common among children. Socioeconomic differences in diet and body weight are pronounced, and overweight and obesity have risen sharply since 2014, particularly among adults.
Iceland
Iceland shows contrasting positive and negative results. Among adults, fish consumption remains higher than the Nordic average, but fruit, vegetable, and whole-grain intake are low, and discretionary food and drink intake is among the highest, especially energy drinks consumption. Icelandic adults and children have the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity, and mean BMI continues to rise. While physical inactivity is somewhat lower than in other Nordic countries, screen time and e-cigarette use are the highest in the region. Daily smoking has declined, but snuff and nicotine pouch use has increased sharply and is particularly high among young men. Alcohol consumption frequency is the lowest in the region.