Focus on nutrition and exercise – personal responsibility is becoming increasingly important
After several years of declining interest, the importance of nutrition and exercise among the population will increase significantly again in 2025. At the same time, this year’s survey shows growing scepticism towards government intervention – the need for personal responsibility and education is at the forefront. In addition, the study confirms the high value placed on enjoyment when eating and drinking.
After reaching a low point in the previous year, interest in nutrition and exercise is rising significantly. A third of the population will be ‘very interested’ in 2025 – an increase of 14 percentage points. People also feel more informed. A significant increase can be observed here, particularly among the over-40s. This development coincides with the increased perceived media presence of the topic, primarily through traditional channels such as television and newspapers – media formats that are used more heavily by older target groups in particular.
Attitudes towards a sugar tax remain stable at a low level: 27 per cent would agree to it. While the demand to eliminate hidden sugar in processed foods continues to enjoy high levels of support (90%), the statement that sugar should be restricted by the government has lost significant ground (48%, down 16 percentage points). This indicates a shift in criticism away from political intervention and toward demands on the food industry.
The population increasingly prefers individual responsibility and information over government intervention. The average value on the scale between government measures (0) and personal responsibility (10) rises from 6.3 to 7. Political differences are particularly evident in the case of advertising bans on unhealthy children’s foods: while supporters of left-wing green parties clearly support such measures, supporters of conservative parties are more cautious.
In addition to questions about health and regulation, enjoyment plays a central role. Quality, careful preparation and eating together are important to the vast majority. Younger respondents and people who eat a less balanced diet in particular attach great importance to aspects such as ‘treating oneself’ or ‘special flavours’. Enjoyment is perhaps not seen here as the opposite of health goals, but as a complementary, emotional and social component of eating behaviour.
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The results of the Nutrition and Physical Activity Monitor are based on a representative survey of around 1,007 eligible voters in Switzerland. The fieldwork took place between 10 March and 10 April 2025. The maximum sampling error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence interval.
