FSVO Data Repository

Nutrition in the first years of life is a crucial factor for healthy development and long-term health. In Switzerland, breastfeeding practices and infant feeding habits are evaluated every ten years to establish a basis for promoting healthy nutrition in children.
The Swiss Infant Feeding Study (SWIFS) 2024 is a population-based, cross-sectional study in mothers of infants aged 3 -12 months. The randomly selected sample of mothers received a postal invitation letter to participate in an online survey. The survey includes detailed questions on breastfeeding and complementary feeding, and a 24-hour dietary recall. It also covers the following topics/influencing factors: Perinatal period, health and health behavior of the mother, infant health, support and advice, work situation, sociodemographic data of mothers/partners, digital information seeking.

Nutrition is fundamental to growth, development, and lifelong health. For the first time, Switzerland has obtained a comprehensive national overview of the dietary habits, nutritional status, and lifestyles of its young population.
Between 2023 and 2024, data were collected from nearly 2’000 participants aged 6–17 years across six study centers in the 3 language regions of Switzerland. Each participant completed two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls, lifestyle questionnaires (incl. physical activity), and physical measurements (incl. body weight, height, waist and hip circumference, and blood pressure). Additionally, urine and blood samples were collected from more than 800 participants to provide objective biomarker data on nutritional and health status.

Elevated dietary salt intake is responsible for a substantial proportion of disease burden worldwide. High sodium intake has been associated with higher arterial blood pressure, a greater risk of cardiovascular disease - especially stroke or the development of chronic kidney disease. High dietary potassium intake, on the other hand, is related to a lower blood pressure and reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases.
In Switzerland, the dietary salt intake in the population has been shown to exceed the WHO recommended maximum of 5 grams per day. Considering that the first nationwide Swiss Survey on Salt Intake (SSS1) was conducted a decade ago, the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) commissioned in 2021 the second National Survey on Salt Consumption in the Swiss general adult population, namely the Swiss Salt Study 2 (SSS2).

Nutrition and physical activity directly affect health and quality of life. But what do people living in Switzerland usually eat and drink? The National Nutrition Survey menuCH pursued these questions and collected data concerning nutrition and physical activity behaviors of the adult Swiss population.