New data on the eating habits of children and adolescents in Switzerland
Institutional Communication Service
13 November 2025
For the first time, a national survey has provided a comprehensive overview of the eating habits of children and adolescents in Switzerland. The results of the menuCH-Kids study, published on 13 November 2025, by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), indicate that most young people aged 6 to 17 consume adequate amounts of essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, fat, and fibre. However, the consumption of fruits and vegetables is low, while snacks and sugary drinks are commonly included in their daily diets.
Approximately 13% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese, and 10% have blood values indicating an increased risk of diabetes. These data provide a valuable scientific basis for the development of new nutritional recommendations for families, schools and health professionals.
Among the scientific directors of the study is Professor Suzanne Suggs of the Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), who serves as deputy director and co-principal investigator of the project, carried out in collaboration with several Swiss academic institutions, including the EOC and Prof. Dr Giacomo Simonetti of the USI Faculty of Biomedical Sciences.
At the same time, the Swiss Confederation has also published the results of the Swiss Infant Feeding Study, which confirms a positive trend: children are now breastfed more often and for longer than in the past.
Both studies will help guide public policy and health promotion initiatives aimed at improving the quality of nutrition from the earliest years of life.