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ABSTRACT:BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia is a condition characterized by high quantities of lipids in the blood stream. Lipids include cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids. Fats and cholesterol are generally processed in the liver and carried on proteins in the blood, forming lipoproteins. Its complications include pancreatitis, atherosclerosis, coronary artery diseases and stroke.OBJECTIVE: Is to estimate the prevalence of hyperlipidemia in the Iraqi young adults aged 20-40 years and to shed a light on any significant association between some socio-demographic and life style variables with hyperlipidemia.SUBJECTS & METHODS :A cross-sectional study was conducted from the first of December 2011 to the first of June 2012. RESULTS :The prevalence rate of any lipid abnormality (at least one abnormality) was 75%.The prevalence rates of elevated serum total cholesterol, low serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated serum triglyceride and elevated serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol were (32.5%, 38.5%, 29.5%, 30%), respectively. The prevalence rate of elevated TC/HDL ratio was 61%.CONCLUSION : There is a high prevalence of lipid abnormality in young adults of whom males had higher prevalence than females but the difference was not significant.The significant associated risk factors with hyperlipidemia were age, BMI, newly diagnosed or uncontrolled diabetic and hypertensive patients, cholesterol/fat rich diet and type of cooking oil.

KEYWORDS : hyperlipidemia --- risk factors --- life style variables --- young adults.