The Danish National Survey of Diet and Physical Activity 2021-2024

The principal objective of DANSDA is to monitor dietary intake and physical activity in a representative sample of the Danish population aged 4-80 years, and provide data for surveillance of the food and nutrient intake and physical activity of the general population.

The survey is a nationally representative cross-sectional survey, which includes face-to-face interviews, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure measurement, blood sampling, 7-day web-based food diaries, and pedometer-determined physical activity which is recorded in 7-day web-based step diaries. In the interview socio-demographic details as well as lifestyle and health attitudes are recorded. Web-based food and step diaries are collected in the entire survey population of 4000 individuals, blood pressure is measured in 15-80 year-olds, and biological samples (blood) are collected in a subpopulation of approximately 1000 individuals aged 40-70 years. Biomarker of metabolic health are measured in a blood sample drawn after an overnight fast. The blood-based biomarkers (cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose), anthropometric data and blood pressure measurements are used to assess the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (WHO definition) in 40-70 year-old Danes. Surplus blood samples are stored in a biobank for 30 years.

The data from the survey provide the evidence base to support work by the authorities to facilitate the adoption of healthier eating and physical activity behavior and reduce lifestyle-related diseases. Another objective is to provide detailed data on food consumption at the individual level, which enables food chemical exposure assessment and forms an essential part of food safety risk assessment. Furthermore, the data will be used to assess the environmental impact of the diet.