The atherosclerotic process begins in childhood and numerous factors, both genetic and environmental, decide on its progression and clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis. Primary prophylaxis of cardiovascular diseases in young population should be composed of three strategies: health promotion, identification of children and adolescents with high cardiovascular risk and intervention in this selected group. The article presents data on the prevalence of selected classic cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents and also problems connected with development of effective preventive strategy in young population.