Background The role that healthy eating plays in good health is well documented. Government policy in Scotland recommends reducing salt, refined sugar and saturated fat in the diet and increasing the consumption of fruit and vegetables, carbohydrates, fibre and oily fish. Methods Using data from the 1998 Scottish Health Survey a composite measure of healthy eating behaviour was derived by scoring low levels of consumption of salt, refined sugar and saturated fat and higher consumption of fruit and vegetables, carbohydrates, fibre and oily fish. This paper presents results from logistic regression analysis of the risk factors for this measure of healthy eating behaviour. Results Young people, men, those on low income, those without qualifications, those who take little exercise, who lack access to car, live in deprived areas and women who smoke were less likely to show healthy eating behaviour. Conclusion Healthy eating reflects dietary policy and guidelines for those with higher socio-economic status and who demonstrate other health seeking behaviour. Health education policy needs to be targeted at young people, men, and those of lower socio-economic status, and deprived areas, not just the population or country as a whole.