National strategy(ies)

Strategic framework. The national policy for promoting healthy lifestyles is framed by the National Health Plan 2030 (Plano Nacional de Saúde 2030), approved by Council of Ministers Resolution No. 93/2023 and coordinated by the Directorate‑General of Health (Direção‑Geral da Saúde, DGS). The priorities up to 2030 include preventing premature mortality, protecting vulnerable populations, and strengthening public health, with the integration of priority programmes such as healthy eating and physical activity.

Healthy eating programme. The National Programme for the Promotion of Healthy Eating (Programa Nacional para a Promoção da Alimentação Saudável, PNPAS), under the DGS, publishes annual reports monitoring epidemiological indicators and policy measures (reformulation, literacy, food environment). The PNPAS Report 2024 (released in 2025) consolidates the most recent data and the 2025–2027 roadmap.

Food marketing for children. Regulation of advertising for foods with unfavourable nutritional profiles targeted at those under 16 derives from Law No. 30/2019, with the DGS nutritional profile defined by Order No. 7450‑A/2019. In 2024, the official impact assessment (interministerial group coordinated by the DGS) reported high formal compliance but identified greater risks in the digital environment and through sponsorship strategies, recommending strengthened monitoring.

Fiscal and regulatory measures (selected). The PNPAS Report 2024 updates evidence concerning the excise tax on sugar‑sweetened beverages, documenting a reduction in sugar content across beverage categories and a trend towards compliance with reformulation targets.

Encouraging healthy lifestyles and healthy nutrition for young people

Population‑wide & school settings. The promotion of healthy lifestyles in school‑age populations is implemented by the Directorate‑General for Education (Direção‑Geral da Educação, DGE), in coordination with the DGS, through frameworks and guidance for school food provision (canteens/tuck shops), adequate hydration, and food literacy, with a strong focus on reducing sugar and salt and increasing fruit, vegetables, and pulses.

Evidence of impact. 2024 evaluation of Law No. 30/2019 reported high overall compliance and significant exposure in digital channels, as well as an increase in products meeting the DGS nutritional profile (yoghurts, cereals, flavoured milks), indicating a reformulation‑inducing effect.

Health education and healthy lifestyles education in schools

Curricular framework. Health education is part of the Education for Citizenship (Educação para a Cidadania) framework led by the DGE, with dedicated guidelines for Health/Food Education and Physical Activity, and pedagogical resources validated in partnership with the DGS.

Tools and guidance. DGS/DGE guides and materials (e.g., guidance for canteens and tuck shops, hydration, and PNPAS content) support school teams and school social‑action services in improving food provision and nutritional literacy.

Peer‑to‑peer education approaches

Youth services & peer engagement. Cuida-te Programme (Programa Cuida‑te, IPDJ) provides Youth Health Offices (free, anonymous and confidential) and mobile units, working on mental health and wellbeing, body and physical activity, nutrition, sexuality, and addictive behaviours — with a preventive focus and health literacy support for young people aged 12–30.

Collaboration and partnerships

Interministerial & programme coordination. Coordination between the DGS (PNPAS) and DGE underpins action in school settings, while the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (Instituto Português do Desporto e Juventude, IPDJ) strengthens the promotion of healthy lifestyles within the youth community (e.g., Cuida‑te Programme), complementing regulatory and fiscal measures under the Ministry of Health (Ministério da Saúde).

Raising awareness on healthy lifestyles and on factors affecting the health and well-being of young people

Public information & monitoring. Annual PNPAS (DGS) reports and national awareness campaigns prioritise reducing salt and sugar and promoting healthy food environments, integrating updated data and recommendations for decision‑makers, schools, and families.