Determinantes ambientais e sociais nos níveis de actividade física dos adolescentes. Utiliza o de metodologias SIG

Environmental and social derterminants of the levels of teenag e physical activity: the use of gis methodologies. Nowadays, the fact that Physical Activity (PA) plays a fundamental role in improving health and well being is well known. Nevertheless in modern society, lifestyles are becoming ever more sedentary, which contributes to an increase in the risk of developing a plethora of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, CVD, hypertension, some types of cancer, muscular skeletal diseases and obesity, among others. PA and dieting are habits that are shaped from an early age; thus behaviour as children and adolescents may determine adulthood PA Levels (PAL). There is scientific evidenceto suggest that the urban environment may influence the level of physical activity of the population, proving that some characteristics are associated with active transport or with the development of leisure activities. Despite the evidence, few studies outside the USA and Australia have been performed on objectively measured environmental features and PAL. It is important to identify which variables are more likely to influence adolescent PAL, especially in urban spaces, in order to promote healthier environments and healthier people.