Faroese face rising obesity, high smoking rates, and stress

The Faroe Islands is grappling with significant public health challenges, including rising obesity, persistent smoking, and high stress levels, according to the director of the Faroese Health Authority.

Noomi Oddmarsdóttir Gregersen, head of the Heilsustýrið (Faroese Health Authority), highlighted the issues in connection with World Health Day on April 7. While 87% of Faroese reported good health in the 2023 national health survey, underlying problems threaten long-term well-being.

“The weight of Faroese people increases with every survey we conduct,” Gregersen stated. “More and more are living with overweight or obesity, which is concerning as it can lead to various diseases.”

Smoking remains another major issue. The 2023 survey found that 18% of Faroese smoke daily—a figure significantly higher than in neighboring countries. “This is an area where we clearly lag behind,” Gregersen confirmed.

Stress is also a growing concern, particularly among young women aged 18–24. “There are multiple causes, but societal pressures and excessive demands contribute to their stress levels,” she explained.

Gregersen will discuss the current state of public health in the Faroe Islands in a morning broadcast on Kringvarp Føroya.