{
  "abstract": "Background: Dietary patterns have changed substantially over recent decades, contributing to the rise of noncommunicable diseases. Within Popkin’s nutrition transition framework, many countries have shifted from traditional carbohydrate-based diets toward energy-dense patterns rich in fats, sugars, and animal-source foods. This study characterized the trajectory and stage of the nutritional transition in Portugal between 1961 and 2023.\n\nMethods: Data were obtained from FAOSTAT food balance sheets. Food items were grouped according to the Portuguese Food Wheel, and daily availability (g/day/person) and energy contribution (kcal/day/person) were estimated. Macronutrient contributions were calculated and temporal trends analyzed using linear regression models.\n\nResults: Total energy availability increased significantly (β = 14.86 kcal/day/person/year; p < 0.001). Macronutrient distribution shifted markedly: fat contribution rose (β = 0.273%/year; p < 0.001) while carbohydrates declined (β = −0.263%/year; p < 0.001), with a modest increase in protein (β = 0.052%/year; p < 0.001). The fat-to-carbohydrate ratio increased significantly, indicating progressive dietary energy densification. Food group trends showed declining availability of cereals, tubers, and legumes, alongside increases in animal-source foods, dairy products, fats, oils, and sugar products. Fruit and vegetable availability also increased. No statistically significant breakpoints were identified, suggesting a gradual transition.\n\nConclusions: Portugal has undergone a sustained nutritional transition consistent with Popkin’s Stage 4 (“degenerative disease” pattern), characterized by increased energy availability, a shift from carbohydrate-based staples toward fats and animal-source foods, and rising dietary energy density. These changes likely contribute to the burden of diet-related chronic diseases, highlighting the need for public health strategies promoting balanced, health-oriented, and sustainable dietary patterns.\n\nKey messages: • Portugal shows a clear long-term shift from carbohydrates to fats, reflecting a progressive nutritional transition towards more energy-dense diets.\n\n• Changes in food availability highlight increased consumption of animal products, fats and sugars, reinforcing the need for adequated nutrition policies.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": "abstract",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "TC Cordeiro"
    },
    {
      "name": "CC Gonçalves"
    },
    {
      "name": "AG Bento"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f6dcp8a6hy14f.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.081",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13697866/",
  "id": "f6dcp8a6hy14f",
  "issns": [
    "1101-1262",
    "1464-360X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.081",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "3. PARALLEL PROGRAMME"
    ],
    [
      "heading",
      "AcademicSubjects/MED00860"
    ],
    [
      "heading",
      "AcademicSubjects/SOC01210"
    ],
    [
      "heading",
      "AcademicSubjects/SOC02610"
    ],
    [
      "heading",
      "E.2. Pitch presentations: Food environments, literacy and dietary patterns"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2739|Nutritional Studies and Diet"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223673116",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13697866/pdf/?tool=EBI",
  "pmcid": "PMC13697866",
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-01",
  "publisher": "Oxford University Press",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f6dcp8a6hy14f.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:51Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13697866",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.081"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:21:44Z",
      "native_id": "PMC:PMC13697866",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13697866"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2739|Nutritional Studies and Diet",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    }
  ],
  "title": "From carbohydrates to fats? Long-term changes in dietary patterns in Portugal (1961–2023)",
  "title_text": "From carbohydrates to fats? Long-term changes in dietary patterns in Portugal (1961–2023)",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:34:50Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f6dcp8a6hy14f",
  "venue": "The European Journal of Public Health",
  "versions": []
}