**1. Introduction**

Atherosclerosis, a common denominator for all cardiovascular diseases (CVD), is a complex process that starts in fetal life, and its natural course is a result of interplay between genetic and environmental factors [1]. Clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis, including coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral arterial disease, will occur in two thirds of men and half of women after age 40 [2]. However, a positive association of coronary atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis in abdominal aorta with classic cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia and impaired glucose tolerance, has been shown already in adolescents and young adults [3]. Earlier incidence of CVD in at-risk groups of children has been suggested [4].

In recent decades, the cardiovascular risk burden has increased largely due to the obesity epidemic, contributing to the fact that now CVD are globally the leading cause of death. Since 1975, prevalence of obesity more than quadrupled among children and adolescents with an increased likelihood of becoming an adult with obesity [5, 6].

In this chapter, traditional cardiovascular risk factors in children are reviewed with proposed comprehensive management.
