Eating habits are among the five risk factors that contribute most to the country's disease burden.

The data comes from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) report, released by the Directorate-General for Health (DGS), which marks World Obesity Day with the publication of the “Manual for Behavioural Change in the Treatment of Obesity”, which brings together structured strategies to support changes in eating habits and physical activity.

According to the report, high consumption of red meat, processed meats and salt, as well as insufficient consumption of whole grains, vegetables and oilseeds, were the unhealthy eating behaviours that contributed most to Portuguese people living fewer healthy years in 2023.

Low consumption of cereals

Low consumption of whole grains is the dietary risk factor that contributed most to the burden of disease, both in terms of mortality and unhealthy life years (DALYs), highlighting the importance of the quality of carbohydrate sources in promoting health.

Among the risk factors contributing to the burden of disease in Portugal, metabolic factors such as high plasma glucose, high body mass index (BMI) and high blood pressure already exceed the contribution of poor dietary habits.

“This suggests that metabolic changes potentially associated with poor dietary patterns already make a more significant contribution to the overall burden of disease,” the report stresses.

Increase in obesity

In particular, excess weight has been rising among the risk factors that contribute most to the burden of disease in Portugal: in 2023, it ranked second in total DALYs (8.2%) and third in total deaths (8.6%).

In addition, it was the second-fastest-growing risk factor during the period under review (2010–2023), with a 9% increase in total DALYs and an 8% increase in total deaths.

“Over the last 20 years, there has been a 23% increase in the contribution of excess weight to the loss of healthy life years and a 22% increase in total deaths associated with high BMI. Even so, the rate of growth has slowed in the last decade (2010-2023),” the DGS points out in a statement.

Growing trend

In terms of temporal evolution, data from 2010 to 2023 confirm the trend already observed between 2000 and 2021, showing an increase in the impact associated with high consumption of sugary drinks and processed meat, as well as low consumption of vegetables.

“This data reinforces the relevance of the public health measures that the Directorate-General for Health has been technically supporting over the last few years in terms of promoting healthy eating and preventing obesity,” the document reads.