Skandia Funds Sweden's First Nationwide Study on Youth Physical Health

Skandia's foundation, Idéer för livet, is funding a groundbreaking national study to assess the physical health and lifestyle of Swedish adolescents, marking the first study of its kind in Sweden. Scheduled from 2026 to 2028, the SWEFIT study will involve a representative sample of 4,000 youths aged 13-14 and 17-18. It aims to fill the current knowledge gap on youth fitness and muscle strength—key factors influencing lifelong health. The study will measure fitness, muscle strength, lifestyle habits, anthropometry, blood pressure, and health registers with the help of mobile test buses to ensure data collection across urban and rural areas. Stina Liljekvist, chairperson of the foundation, highlighted the importance of understanding youth health to implement effective preventive strategies. Project leader Professor Gisela Nyberg emphasized that the comprehensive data will create valuable reference values and inform future health strategies, supporting the ability of young people to meet physical demands in the workforce. This initiative responds to internationally observed trends and national concerns about declining fitness levels in Swedish youth, aiming to provide a detailed overview of their physical condition and lifestyle.