[Trends in dietary habits in Denmark and Sweden since the 1960s].

Dietary habits in Denmark and Sweden are compared during the period 1965-1998 based on data from Food Balance Sheets. Common trends are an increase in consumption of vegetables, fruits, berries and meat and a decrease in consumption of fats. In the latest ten years percentage of energy from fat has also decreased. Denmark has a higher consumption of fats and meat and a lower consumption of fruits, berries and fish. These differences contribute to a higher percentage of energy from fat in the Danish diet compared to the Swedish. Data consequently indicate that dietary habits in Sweden are healthier than in Denmark. Differences in dietary habits may have contributed to differences in life expectancy between the countries. Disparities in dietary habits are seen in both countries. The tendency is greater social differences in Denmark.