Background: Unhealthy eating habits are among the main risk factors
associated with the loss of healthy life years in the Portuguese population.
Excessive consumption of fat, sugar and salt is the main factor contributing
to mortality. In fact, eight out of ten deaths in European countries are caused
by noncommunicable diseases.
Implementation: To tackle the complex challenges brought about by
noncommunicable diseases, a Health in All Policies approach was
implemented. The role of behavioural determinants in morbidity and
premature mortality led the Portuguese Government to recognize the
promotion of healthy eating as a priority by involving several ministries.
Results: The Integrated Strategy for the Promotion of Healthy Eating (2017–
2020) devised by the Portuguese Government identifies a broad set of health
promotion and disease prevention measures. Furthermore, it provides the
framework for several other initiatives that have already been implemented
or are being implemented at the moment.
Conclusion: The current Portuguese Government has shown political
commitment to implementing the Integrated Strategy for the Promotion of
Healthy Eating and significant achievements are evident merely a few months
into its implementation. However, if Portugal is to maintain the current speed
of implementing this strategy, future governments must ensure continued
commitment with equal clear-sighted long-term national policies. Unless
future problems are anticipated and planned for, overwhelming health care
challenges may threaten entire societies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
