Characterization of the anthropometric profile and physical activity levels of Portuguese adolescents

Abstract

Adolescence refers to the period of the transition from childhood into adulthood.1 Historically, it has been defined as being between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age, which approximately corresponds to the time of puberty onset to guardian independence.1 A recent work by some leading scholars has proposed that an expanded definition and timeframe of 10 to 24 years of age corresponds more closely to adolescent growth and general knowledge of this life period.2