Lopes, Vitor P.Vasques, CatarinaFerreira, João V.Maia, José A.R.2011-04-122011-04-122005Lopes, Vítor P.; Vasques, Catarina; Ferreira, J.C.V.; Maia, J.A.R. ( 2005). Physical activity levels in childhood and adolescence: age and gender differences. In Conferint, ainternat, ionalã de comunicãri tiintifice. p. 39-47. ISBN 973-627-245-1973-627-245-1http://hdl.handle.net/10198/4020There is a strong agreement that physical activity (PA) positively influences individual health status. Regular PAis an important factor along the whole life cyc1e to promote a healthy life style. In childhood and youth, the main effects of physical activity are on the promotion of habits and attitudes that are thought to be , carried out through the adult stage. In adulthood the benefits are of severaI leveIs, as documented in different epidemiological papers. PA is associated a) with longevity increase; b) with lower risks of cardiovascular diseases and c) with the decrease of some ofthe risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases, such as obesity and hypertension (Blair, 1993; Mackelvie et ai., 2001; Vuori, 2001; Westerterp & Goran, 1997; Williams, 2001).engconference object