[Study and prevention of atherosclerosis precursors in childhood. The role of the World Health Organization].

Ten percent of 10 to 14 year-old boys and girls (in European populations) already have fibrous plaques in their coronary arteries, according to an anatomical study of WHO. Corresponding epidemiological findings point out relatively high blood lipid concentrations (depending on family eating habits) and the early onset of smoking in school-age children. Primary prevention of atherosclerosis should therefore start in childhood, and WHO sponsors cooperative research in this field, including intervention studies in children and adolescents.