Obesity represents an increasing public health problem, its recognized the importance of its study in pediatric population and young adults for to prevent the complications that this can generate. Objective: To determine the prevalence of obesity and hipercholesterolemia in students of the School of Medicine at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. Material and methods: An analytical cross sectional study was made, evaluating 133 randomized selected subjects that went to medical examination of

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... he university in February 1998. Overweight was defined as Body Mass Index (IMC) >25 and ≤30, Obesity as IMC >30 and hypercholesterolemia as total cholesterol >200 mg/dl. In each subject weight and height was measured and a 5 cc sample of blood in fasting was taken. Results: The prevalence of obesity were 3.76% and 26.3% of overweight. Hypercholesterolemia were encountered in 3.76%. No association between obesity and age or sex was found. The proportion of abnormal values of cholesterol were: 3.76% of HDL-C, 13.53% of LDL-C, 2.26% of triglycerides, 6.76% of LDL-C/HDL-C and 5.26% of CT/HDL-C. Conclusion: The obesity is a relevant pathology in this group. We recommend a prevention programs and changes in life style in this population. Its aim is to reduce the prevalence of overweight and further risk of cardiovascular diseases. ( Rev Med Hered 2001; 12: 78-84 ). KEY WORDS: prevalence, obesity, hipercholesterolemia, students. RESUMEN La obesidad es un problema creciente de salud pública, reconociéndose la importancia de su estudio en la población pediátrica y adulta joven para prevenir las complicaciones que esta puede generar. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de obesidad e hipercolesterolemia en los alumnos de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal analítico, evaluando 133 sujetos que acudieron al examen médico de la Universidad en febrero de 1998, seleccionados en forma aleatoria. Se definió sobrepeso como Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) >25 y ≤30, obesidad como IMC >30 e hipercolesterolemia como colesterol total sérico >200 mg/dl. A cada sujeto de estudio se le determinó peso y talla y se le tomó una muestra de 5 cc de sangre * Magister en Economía en Salud. Profesor Asociado de la Facultad de Salud Pública y Administración.