[Health behaviors in Portugal. Epidemiological studies]

It is necessary to evaluate habitudes and behaviours in health in Portugal. The purpose of this review is to analyse some portuguese epidemiological studies. CINDI-Portugal, ERICA-Portugal and the National Health Inquiry were national studies regarding multiple health data. Nutritional attitudes and practices have been evaluated since 1940. The National Food Study and the Study of Prevalence of Obesity in Portugal studied Portuguese nutritional attitudes. There are studies of the prevalence of eating disorders i school populations. Some research about the association between food and disease is reported. The Portuguese Food Balance is reviewed. Some methodological problems are pointed out and the results discussed. The results of Portuguese studies suggest that our country is in danger of errors in the course of consumption attitudes.