Norway: physical activity policy snapshot

This snapshot presents strengths and weaknesses of national physical activity policy actions in Norway. Compare Norway with other European countries in our MOVING policy index.

> Read the MOVING snapshot for Norway in English or Norwegian

Norway implements policy actions in all 6 areas of the MOVING framework. Only 1 policy area received a good assessment, which was physical activity opportunities in the workplace and training (O). The remaining policy areas received a moderate or fair assessment.

Within policy areas, weaknesses were identified in physical activity in schools within and outside of school hours (M), walking and cycling infrastructure and active design guidelines outside of buildings (V), and road safety actions and public and active transport policies (I). Gaps were identified with a lack of policies for all ages and abilities (M), public information campaigns (N) and physical activity training in healthcare (G).

Although action was taken in all areas of the MOVING framework, much more needs to be done in increasing physical activity through public communication which builds behaviour change skills (N) and providing training within healthcare and outpatient settings (G), where a fair assessment was achieved. Although the active environments domains (V, I) scored moderately, many policy actions were of poor design. Therefore, action should be taken to improve these.

Download a full analysis and breakdown of Norway’s results (pdf, English)

This country snapshot presents detailed results of the MOVING policy index for Norway. Full index results are outlined in the MOVING policy brief (pdf), which compares Norway with other European countries and explains the methods for producing this snapshot and the index.

The index assesses if national government policy actions exist across all areas of the MOVING framework and, if so, how well designed they are. We produced this assessment by benchmarking policies from Norway, collected through a comprehensive scan. You can view all benchmarked policies in our MOVING database.

Overview of physical activity policy status in Norway

Norway MOVING overview

Read more about the MOVING policy index
Download the MOVING policy brief (pdf)
Download all 30 country snapshots as a bundle (zip, English)

Summary of policies reviewed

The policies assessed to produce this country snapshot are listed here. For more details, consult our MOVING policy database.

Policy name	Area	Benchmark
Education Act	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Læring i friluft – Learning in the open air	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Friluftsliv i skolen – Outdoor recreation in school	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Inn på tunet – Green Care	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Successful outdoor activities	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Aktiv i 100 – Active in 100	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
A multicultural DNT project	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Kindergarten Act – the Framework Plan for kindergarten	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Successful outdoor activities	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
The Gambling Scheme Act	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Grasrotandelen	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
The Leisure Declaration	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Frifond.no	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
National Grant scheme for inclusion of children and youth	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Grants for social inclusion in sports	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Tilskuddsordning for arrangementer for personer med funksjonsnedsettelser – Grant scheme for events for people with disabilities	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community and sport and recreation
Friluftsliviskolen.no	O	Offer physical activity opportunities in the workplace and training in physical activity promotion across multiple professions
Professional Network for Cycling and Walking	O	Offer physical activity opportunities in the workplace and training in physical activity promotion across multiple professions
The Working Environment Act	O	Offer physical activity opportunities in the workplace and training in physical activity promotion across multiple professions
Lov om planlegging og byggesaksbehandling (plan og bygningsloven) – The Planning and Building Procedure Act (Planning and Building Act)	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
Friluftsloven – Open Air Law	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
National Bicycle routes	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
Historiske Vandreruter – Historical Trails	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
Brand Handbook – Merkehandboka	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
Network of public spaces – an idea handbook	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
Barnetråkk	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
Folketråkk – Citizens Track	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
DNT tilrettelagt – Outdoor life for people with disabilities	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
Ferskingkurs – Courses for newcomers to outdoor life	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
Utvalde kulturlandskap i jordbruket – Selected cultural landscapes in agriculture	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
Friluftsskole – The open-air school	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
Friluftslivets ferdselsårer – The traffic veins of the outdoors	V	Visualise and enact structures and surroundings which promote physical activity
European Mobility Week	I	Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies
Cycling to work campaign – Sykle til jobben	I	Implement transport infrastructure and opportunities that support active societies
General physical activity guidelines for children, young, adults, elderly and pregnant	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
General guidelines sedentary behaviour for children, young, adults and elderly	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
General guidelines sedentary behaviour for pregnant women	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
Physical activity guidelines for people with type 2 diabetes	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
National guidelines for primary health care. Prevention, assessment and treatment of obesity in adults	G	Give physical activity training, assessment and counselling in healthcare settings
National professional guidelines for primary health care. Prevention and treatment of obesity in children and adolescents – Nasjonale faglige retningslinjer for primærhelse- tjenesten. Forebygging og behandling av overvekt og fedme hos barn og unge	G	Give physical activity training, assessment and counselling in healthcare settings

NOURISHING country snapshots

We also have snapshots of nutrition policies in 30 European countries. Visit the Norway page or see all the country snapshots.

Get in touch

The policy landscape in any country evolves over time. These findings reflect our knowledge as of May 2023. To provide feedback or suggest updates, please get in touch.

Fill in our feedback form or email the team policy@wcrf.org

Norway: physical activity policy snapshot

Overview of physical activity policy status in Norway

Summary of policies reviewed

NOURISHING country snapshots

Get in touch

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