Early use of the Finnish Nutrition Navigator: a public digital tool for self-monitoring diet quality

Abstract Background Reliable public self-care tools for assessing diet quality are scarce in Finland. We developed the Finnish Nutrition Navigator (FNN), a free digital service for adults. It evaluates diet quality using the Healthy Diet Index (HDI), compares it with national nutrition recommendations, and provides feedback. This study examines the initial use, user demographics, and HDI scores since launch. Methods This prospective study (Nov 2024-Mar 2025) is based on anonymized FNN user data. The FNN was implemented in the Ravitsemusnavigaattori web app. The HDI scores range from 0 to 100 (high diet quality). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 29.0 and ANOVA. Results Altogether, the FNN was completed and submitted 7,257 times. The median daily usage was 23 (interquartile range [IQR]=26), and the median completion time was 10.3 minutes (IQR=5.7). Among users, 82% identified as female, 15% as male, and 3% as another gender or preferred not to disclose. Most users (91%) were aged 18-74 years and resided in Finland (98%). The highest completions came from Helsinki (n = 640), Kuopio (n = 601), and Tampere (n = 384). The mean HDI score was 65±13 points, with higher scores among women and older age groups. Conclusions The FNN reached its target group and showed growing use over time. While tracking can be improved, the service delivered results consistent with known demographic trends, supporting data reliability. Diet quality was slightly better than in previous studies but still suboptimal. The FNN shows promise as a scalable tool for ongoing dietary monitoring at local and national levels. Its impact on dietary change remains to be further evaluated. Key messages • The Finnish Nutrition Navigator is a promising public digital diet monitoring tool, with growing use and alignment with known dietary trends, suggesting potential for population-level assessment. • Among users of the tool, the average diet quality was suboptimal, highlighting the need for continued public nutrition guidance.