Prevalence and Extent of Atherosclerosis in Adolescents and Young Adults<SUBTITLE>Implications for Prevention From the Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth Study</SUBTITLE>

Atherosclerosis begins in youth. Fatty streaks and clinically significant raised lesions increase rapidly in prevalence and extent during the 15- to 34-year age span. Primary prevention of atherosclerosis, as contrasted with primary prevention of clinically manifest atherosclerotic disease, must begin in childhood or adolescence.