A recent report highlights a troubling trend in Sweden: adults are consuming increasingly unhealthy diets, with men having the worst eating habits. According to findings from the Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket), the nutritional quality of meals among Swedish adults has declined significantly in recent years, raising concerns about long-term public health implications.
The latest public health survey (2024) from the Public Health Agency (Folkhälsomyndigheten) confirms that Swedish adults’ eating habits have been declining since 2016. Consumption of vegetables, root vegetables, fruits, berries, fish, and shellfish has dropped, while the intake of sweetened beverages has increased. The most significant decline is seen in fish consumption, which has fallen by 5.4% since the 2022 survey, whereas the number of people drinking sugary drinks twice a week or more has risen by 3.5%.
Men’s diet worse than women’s
The study found that Swedish men tend to consume higher amounts of processed foods, red meats, and sugary beverages, while their intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains remains below recommended levels. Women, although showing slightly better adherence to dietary guidelines, also exhibit a decline in healthy eating habits.
However, the survey revealed that young women (16–29 years old) have experienced the most significant negative shift. The proportion of young women drinking sugary beverages twice a week or more has increased by over 10% since the previous study. Overall, women have shown a greater decline in diet quality compared to men from 2016 to 2024.
“Those who previously ate more healthily seem to be worsening their eating habits the most, which makes the differences between groups decrease. We see, for example, that young women and men now drink sweetened drinks to almost the same extent,” says Pia Lindeskog, an investigator at the Public Health Agency.
Health risks and obesity concerns
The deteriorating diet is reflected in the rising prevalence of obesity and diet-related illnesses in Sweden. According to the Global Nutrition Report, 25.8% of Swedish men and 19.8% of women aged 18 and over are classified as obese, a trend that has been steadily increasing over the past decade. The report also links poor dietary habits to heightened risks of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
The survey results indicate that the lowest proportion of healthy food consumption is found among individuals with lower education, economic difficulties, men, and younger adults (16–29 years old), who are most likely to have an unhealthy diet.
Declining adherence to dietary guidelines
Fewer Swedes are following national dietary guidelines, which emphasize balanced meals rich in plant-based foods and lower in saturated fats and added sugars. The shift towards Western-style eating patterns, characterized by excessive consumption of processed foods and inadequate intake of essential nutrients, is considered a key driver behind this decline.
Nutrition experts and policymakers are urging stronger public health initiatives to reverse this trend. Recommendations include promoting education on healthy eating, implementing stricter regulations on food marketing, and encouraging food producers to improve the nutritional quality of their products. Schools and workplaces are also being called upon to offer healthier meal options and raise awareness about the importance of a balanced diet.
