Researchers in Denmark tracked how people’s health habits changed from 1987 to 2023 by surveying thousands of adults over nearly four decades. They found some good news and some concerning trends: fewer people smoke and drink heavily, which is great. However, more people are overweight, eating unhealthy foods, and sitting around too much. The study shows that while Denmark made progress on some health issues, new problems have emerged that need attention from health leaders and policymakers.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How common unhealthy behaviors like smoking, drinking, poor eating, sitting too much, being overweight, and using cannabis were among Danish adults over 36 years
  • Who participated: Adults aged 16 and older living in Denmark who answered health surveys between 1987 and 2023. Different surveys had between 4,667 and 183,646 people answering questions about their habits
  • Key finding: Smoking dropped dramatically from 44% to 12% of adults, and heavy drinking fell from 25% to 16%. But obesity more than tripled from 6% to 19%, and unhealthy eating increased from 13% to 19%. Cannabis use stayed about the same at around 7%
  • What it means for you: Denmark’s success in reducing smoking shows that public health efforts work. However, the rise in weight gain and poor eating habits suggests we need new strategies to help people stay active and eat better. These trends likely apply to other developed countries too

The Research Details

This study looked at information collected from nine different health surveys conducted in Denmark over 36 years. Researchers asked thousands of Danish adults about their daily habits through interviews and questionnaires (both on paper and online). They tracked the same health behaviors across all these surveys to see how things changed over time.

The researchers focused on six main health behaviors: smoking every day, drinking a lot of alcohol each week, eating unhealthy foods, spending too much time sitting down, being overweight or obese, and using cannabis in the past year. By comparing data from 1987 to 2023, they could see which behaviors got better and which got worse.

They also calculated something called ‘five-year change’ to understand how quickly things were changing. This helped them spot trends that were speeding up or slowing down over time.

This type of long-term tracking study is important because it shows real patterns in how people’s health habits change over decades. Unlike studies that only look at one moment in time, this research reveals whether public health efforts are actually working. It helps government leaders understand which health problems are improving and which ones need more attention and resources.

This study is strong because it tracked the same behaviors over a very long time period (36 years) using consistent methods. The large number of participants (up to 183,646 in one survey) makes the findings reliable. However, the study relied on people reporting their own behaviors, which means some people might not answer honestly about sensitive topics like drinking or drug use. Different survey methods were used over time (interviews versus questionnaires), which could affect comparisons between early and recent years.

What the Results Show

The most dramatic improvement was in smoking. In 1987, nearly half of Danish adults (44%) smoked daily, but by 2023, this dropped to just 12%. This is a huge success that shows public health campaigns and smoking restrictions really work.

Heavy alcohol drinking also improved significantly, falling from 25% of adults in 1987 to 16% by 2023. This suggests that awareness about alcohol’s health risks may be helping people drink less.

Unfortunately, two major problems got worse. Obesity nearly tripled, jumping from 6% in 1987 to 19% in 2023. At the same time, unhealthy eating patterns increased from 13% to 19%. These increases suggest that modern life—with more processed foods and less physical activity—is making it harder for people to maintain healthy weights.

Sedentary behavior (sitting too much) showed mixed results depending on the time period, sometimes going up and sometimes going down. Cannabis use stayed relatively stable at around 7% throughout the entire 36-year period.

When researchers looked at five-year trends (how much things changed every five years), the patterns held up. Smoking and heavy drinking continued their downward trends consistently. Obesity and unhealthy eating continued climbing. This consistency suggests these aren’t just random changes but real, ongoing trends in Danish society.

These findings align with what researchers have observed in other developed countries. Most wealthy nations have seen smoking decline due to public health efforts, taxes on cigarettes, and smoking bans in public places. The rise in obesity and poor eating habits mirrors trends seen in the United States, United Kingdom, and other European countries, suggesting this is a widespread modern problem rather than something unique to Denmark.

The study relied on people reporting their own behaviors honestly, and some people might not admit to unhealthy habits. The survey methods changed over time (from face-to-face interviews to online questionnaires), which could affect how comparable the results are across decades. Additionally, the study only included people who responded to surveys, so it might miss people with the most unhealthy behaviors who were less likely to participate. The study also doesn’t explain why these changes happened—it just shows that they did.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, health leaders should: (1) Continue and expand anti-smoking programs since they clearly work—confidence level: HIGH. (2) Develop new strategies to help people maintain healthy weights and eat better foods—confidence level: MODERATE to HIGH, since we know the problem is growing. (3) Encourage more physical activity and less sitting time—confidence level: MODERATE, since the data on this was mixed. Anyone concerned about their weight, diet, or activity level should talk to their doctor about personalized advice.

Everyone should care about these trends because they affect public health spending and quality of life. If you smoke, this research shows quitting is possible and worth it. If you’re struggling with weight or eating habits, know that you’re not alone—this is a widespread issue that many people face. Policymakers and health officials should especially pay attention to develop prevention programs. Parents should be aware that these trends suggest their children are growing up in an environment that makes healthy eating and activity harder.

Changes in smoking took decades to achieve (from 44% to 12% over 36 years), showing that health improvements take time. If someone quits smoking today, they’ll see health benefits within weeks to months. For weight loss and better eating, most people see changes within 3-6 months of consistent effort, but maintaining these changes long-term requires ongoing commitment.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily sitting time and weekly physical activity minutes. Set a goal to reduce sedentary time by 30 minutes per day and increase activity by 150 minutes per week (like brisk walking). Monitor weekly to see progress.
  • Use the app to log meals and identify unhealthy eating patterns, then set one specific food goal (like adding one vegetable to dinner or reducing sugary drinks). Start with one change rather than trying to fix everything at once.
  • Check weight weekly (same day, same time) and track it over months to see trends rather than daily fluctuations. Also monitor energy levels, how clothes fit, and how you feel—not just the number on the scale. Review progress every 4-6 weeks and adjust goals as needed.

This research describes trends in Danish health behaviors and should not be considered personal medical advice. The findings are based on survey data where people reported their own behaviors, which may not be completely accurate. If you’re concerned about your smoking, drinking, weight, diet, or activity level, please consult with your healthcare provider or a qualified health professional who can assess your individual situation and provide personalized recommendations. This study shows what happened in Denmark and may not apply exactly to other countries or regions.