Introduction:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major cause of mortality globally, including in Poland. Their risk factors include both non-modifiable (e.g., age or genetics) and modifiable elements (e.g., diet and physical activity). Among the latter, diet plays a pivotal role in prevention. Poor dietary habits – such as high intake of saturated fats and low consumption of fruits and vegetables – significantly increase CVDs risk. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of developing CVDs among adolescents based on their dietary habits.

Material and methods:
The research, conducted in May 2024, involved 583 male students from School No. 10 in Zabrze, Poland. An anonymous questionnaire gathered information on eating habits, meal composition, food preparation, and seasoning practices. Statistical analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel, including chi-square tests and correlation analysis.

Results:
Results showed that 78.8% of participants had a normal BMI, 14.1% were overweight, and 2% were obese. About 50% rated their nutritional knowledge as good. A moderate positive correlation was found between nutritional knowledge and physical activity (r = 0.34; p < 0.05). While daily vegetable consumption was 54%, fruit consumption was slightly lower, at 48%. A high intake of saturated fats and insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables were significantly linked to increased CVDs risk (χ² = 34.36; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions:
Despite normal BMI values among participants, the findings highlight the need to strengthen nutrition education. The unbalanced dietary pattern and excessive intake of saturated fats justify implementing preventive measures aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk and promoting healthier habits in adolescents.