| Summary: | The aim of this study was to characterize the eating habits and body image perceptions of Portuguese young people. A total of 6997 Portuguese young people (51.7% girls) attending the 6th, 8th and 10th grades participated in the study, integrated in the Health Behaviour in School aged Children. Young people were asked about their weight, height, eating habits and body image perception. About 70% of the adolescents presented normal/healthy weight. More girls than boys considered their waist “large” and that their body “fat”. Approximately 45% and 33% of the adolescents reported daily consumption of fruits and vegetables respectively. Consumption of sweets and soft drinks showed an increasing tendency between the 6th and 10th grades and girls reported consuming these foods every day, more than once a day, less frequently than boys. Excessive consumption of sugar together with the scarce consumption of fruits and vegetables reveals frailties in the diet of Portuguese young.
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