Background: The main preventable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as poor dietary habits,
sedentary lifestyle, tobacco and alcohol consumption and stress have their beginning in the adolescent age group.
Present study was carried out to screen some risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among school going adolescents
in an urban area. Methodology: A cross sectional survey was done among 871 adolescents aged 10 to 18 years during
September 2014 to March 2015. Demographic information, dietary history and history of physical activity were
collected. Anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were measured using standard technique. Percentage and
95% CI were used to summarize the results. Results: Among 871 adolescents 462 (53.05%) were male. Mean age + SD
was 13.86 + 2.21 years. Majority of the adolescents 782 (89.78%) consumed inadequate amount of fruits and
vegetables. The proportion of adolescents who consumed junk food more than three times a week was 24.34% (212).
There were 413 (47.42%) study subjects who consumed added salt while having their meals. Thirty-seven (4.25%)
consumed carbonated drinks more than 3 times a week. More than half 478 (54.88%) were not physically active.
Most of them i.e. 734 (84.27%) spent three hours or more per day on sedentary activities. Proportion of overweight
and obesity was 5.97%(52) and 2.87% (25). Proportion of pre-hypertension was 10.10% (88) and hypertension was
8.27% (72). Conclusion: High proportion of risk factors for cardiovascular disease is found among the school going
adolescents in the urban area. [Deshpande S NJIRM 2016; 7(3):1-6]