[Atherosclerosis risk factors in school children from Silesia]

Hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, elevated LDL-cholesterol levels, lowered HDL-cholesterol levels, obesity and elevated blood pressure incidence were studied among 1151 school children from the Silesian region. Children whose parents had a positive history for cardiovascular disease were also analyzed. In 20.8% subjects at least one risk factor was found, in 5.6% subjects--two, in 1.6% subjects--three and in 0.8% subjects--four risk factors were present. Obesity was the most common risk factor and obese children were the most likely to be hypertensive or have dyslipoproteinemia.