Cardoso, SusanaNunes, CarlaSantos, OsvaldoLoureiro, Isabel2018-05-252018-05-2520181647-4120http://hdl.handle.net/10451/33658Resumo/Abstract de documento apresentado no 9.º Congresso Internacional de Psicologia da Criança e do Adolescente: Sustentabilidade e Saúde MentalFood choices and physical activity have a relevant influence on health status. It is important to understand the network of factors that contribute to the choices. The aim is to identify potential determinants of the adoption of eating behaviors and physical activity and to characterize the association of perceived self‐efficacy on eating habits and physical activity of Portuguese adolescents. A cross‐sectional study was carried out on a sample of 358 adolescents (14‐18 years old). EHA (eating habits scale), IPAQ (international physical activity questionnaire), TAA‐25 (eating attitudes test) and GSQ (general self‐efficacy scale) were applied and data analysed using the software IBM SPSS v.22.0. Girls tend to assume healthier eating behaviors (t = 3.84, p <, 0001) and present a higher risk of eating disorders (t = 3.54, p <, 0001), mainly associated to the motivation to be thin (t = 5.98, p <, 0001). The boys practiced more physical activity (ᵡ2 (2) = 28.2; p <.001) and presented a higher perception of general self‐efficacy (t = 2.45; p <0.015). The model that follows the multinomial regression that best fits integrates sex and general self‐efficacy. Resistance to adversity is the sub‐dimension that presents the smallest difference between the sexes but greater association with either eating habits (rP =, 32; p <, 0001) or with physical activity (rP=, 235; p < 001). Some physiological factors and the ideals of beauty may explain the greater risk of eating behavior pathology in girls. The perception of good general self‐efficacy will protect the inadequate food choices that boys tends to make. Differences found in gender can justify differentiated interventions in health education. Dimensions such as self‐image and self‐esteem should be worked on.porEating habitsPhysical activityAdolescentsconference object