How are Norwegian municipalities working to promote a healthy and sustainable diet?

Abstract

Abstract Background Diet and nutrition are crucial factors for public health. The importance of diet in promoting sustainability is increasingly understood, and there is a large overlap between healthy and sustainable diet. In Norway, municipalities play a key role in public health work including promoting a healthy diet in the population. The aim of this study was to describe Norwegian municipalities’ efforts to improve the diet of the population, and examine whether this was linked to sustainability. Methods All 356 municipalities in Norway were invited to answer a digital questionnaire which was filled in by 170 municipalities (48%). The data are presented as proportions. Results Most of the municipalities participating in the survey (91%) reported implementing at least one intervention to promote a healthy diet, however, these were mainly limited to a few nationwide activities such as the school milk or school fruit schemes. Only 7-8% were working to promote a sustainable diet through nudging or reducing meat consumption. Reduction of food waste was reported by 38% of the municipalities. In only a third of the municipalities, did employees who work with public health or sustainability have nutrition competencies. The municipalities that did not answer the questionnaire were to a greater extent small municipalities and municipalities located in northern Norway than the municipalities that participated in the survey. Conclusions The work to promote a healthy diet was fragmented and not an integrated part of the public health effort in most municipalities. Very few municipalities worked to promote a more sustainable diet. Key messages • Efforts to promote a healthy diet in Norwegian municipalities are fragmented and inadequate. • Norwegian municipalities’ promotion of a healthy diet is to a limited extent linked to promoting sustainability.