Norkost 4 is a nationally representative dietary survey among people aged 18-80 who live in Norway. The diet was surveyed in a sample of 915 men and 1049 women (40% participation) in the period from August 2022 to October 2023. The participants completed two 24-hour dietary recalls in which they were asked about their intake of food and drink the previous day. They then answered a questionnaire about how often they ate different types of food. The survey was carried out by the Department of Nutrition at the University of Oslo in collaboration with the Public Health Institute and the Directorate of Health.
The average intake of energy was 10.6 MJ/day for men and 8.0 MJ/day for women. On average, the participants got 18% of their energy from protein, 38% from fat and 40% from carbohydrate. Added sugar contributed 7% of the energy and free sugar 9% of the energy. Fiber and alcohol contributed around 2% of energy each. Thirteen percent of the energy came from saturated fat, 15% came from monounsaturated fat and 6% of the energy came from polyunsaturated fat. Compared to the recommendations, the intake of saturated fat was too high and the intake of carbohydrate too low.
The average intake of vitamins and minerals was largely in line with the recommended intake when dietary supplements were included in the calculations. However, the intakes of folate and calcium (women only) were just below the recommended intake, while the intake of selenium was lower than recommended. Without the contribution from dietary supplements, the intakes of vitamin D, folate, and selenium were below the recommended intake in both men and women. In addition, men had a lower than recommended intake of vitamin C, while women had a lower than recommended intake of vitamin A, calcium, iron, potassium and iodine.
The average intake of fruit, berries and vegetables (including a maximum of 100 g of juice/smoothie) was around 300 g, corresponding to three portions, i.e. below the recommended five to eight portions. The intakes of fish in general and fatty fish were below the recommended intake, while the intakes of red and processed meat were higher than the recommended upper limit for intake.
Compared to the results from the previous Norkost survey, which was carried out in 2010/11, the intake of fat was somewhat higher and the intake of carbohydrate correspondingly lower. The intake of saturated fat has remained relatively stable despite the increased fat intake. At food group level, the intakes of bread, fruit/berries, potatoes, fish/fish products and milk have decreased, while the intakes of vegetables, cheese, sugar/sweets and sugar-free juice/soft drinks have increased.