ABSTRACT
Objective - To characterize the risk profile for atherosclerosis (AS) in adolescents and young adults of a private university in São Paulo. Methods - Clinical, nutritional, and laboratory parameters were evaluated in 209 students of both genders aged 17 to 25 years. In addition to determination of the lipid profile, the association of its abnormal values with other risk factors for AS was also investigated. Results - Increased levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglycerides (TG) were observed in 9.1 per cent, 7.6 per cent and 16.3 per cent of the students, respectively, and decreased levels of HDL-C in 8.6 per cent of them. Prevalence of the remaining risk factors analyzed was elevated: sedentary life style (78.9 per cent); high intake (35.9 per cent); smoking, hypertension (15.8 per cent) and obesity (7.2 per cent). There was an association between elevated LDL-C and TG levels and sedentary life style and body mass index. Conclusion - The high prevalence of risk factors for AS in young individuals draws attention to the need for adoping preventive plans.