Few data are available regarding the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in schoolchildren in Brazil. Weight, height, body mass index, blood pressure, and serum cholesterol were determined in 366 students, from 6-12 years of age, 209 (57.1%) from a private school and 157 (41.9%) from a public school, 187 (51.1%) female, aged 8.4+/-1.7 years. Prevalence of the risk of being overweight was 14.8%, being overweight/obese 13.1%, and presenting with elevated cholesterol (>/=170 mg/dL) was 28.1%, particularly at the private school: 21.5% vs. 5.7% for the risk of being overweight (p<0.001), 17.2% vs. 7.6% for being overweight/obese (p<0.01), 41.8% vs. 10.2% for cholesterol >/=170 mg/dL (p<0.001), and 14.8% vs. 1.3% for cholesterol >/=200 mg/dL (p<0.001), respectively. The results showed a high prevalence of risk factors among these school children, especially among private students.