National Nutrition Monitoring – nemo

Science-based policy advice is dependent on representative data on a population’s dietary behaviour, food consumption, nutrient intake and nutrient status. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH) has therefore tasked the Max Rubner-Institut with collecting and regularly updating these data. In this context, “nemo” stands for National Nutrition Monitoring and refers to nationwide nutrition studies conducted on a continuous basis. The individual studies that use various methods are divided into three age groups: (1) children aged one to nine (“nemo children”), (2) children and adolescents aged 10 to 17 (“nemo youth”) and (3) adults up to the age of 80 (“nemo adults”). 

Food consumption and dietary behaviour are important factors in physical, mental and social well-being – and they change constantly, due, for example, to increasing food prices or alterations in the food supply. Regular surveys are thus necessary to acquire up-to-date information on the population’s nutritional situation. National Nutrition Monitoring began by carrying out representative online surveys amongst adults as well as children and adolescents. From April 2026 to June 2027, a nutrition survey of the adult population is now being conducted which includes recording food consumption, measuring height and weight, and collecting blood and urine samples. It is scheduled to be followed in 2028 by a nutrition survey of children.

This ongoing survey unit involves repeated nemo surveys on food consumption and nutrient status across all age groups, delivering a regular supply of findings that enable researchers to assess the nutritional situation of the population in Germany and derive policy recommendations.