The primary objective of this pilot study is to characterize the profile of lipoprotein, inflammatory, and metabolic markers of cardiovascular disease in obese adolescents as compared to normal-weight age-matched controls.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 13-19
• BMI ≥25 (obese) or <25 (normal weight)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior diagnosis of any eating disorder (e.g. anorexia or bulimia)
• Prior diagnosis of any congenital lipid disorder (e.g. familial hypercholesterolemia)
• Current use (or within past 6 months) of any lipid altering medications

Enrollment will be representative of the ethnic population of Charlotte, NC, estimated as 50% Caucasian, 35% African American, 10% Hispanic, and 5 % other.