Childhood obesity is increasingly prevalent in the community and is related to adverse cardiovascular outcomes during adulthood.In this study of healthy children, we evaluated the influence of adiposity on carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, an index of arterial stiffness and a marker of cardiovascular risk in adults.In 573 community-based children (mean age 10.1±0.3 years; 51% boys), we measured percentage body fat quantitated by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.Pulse wave velocity was estimated by applanation tonometry.In univariate analysis, pulse wave velocity was positively correlated with percentage body fat (r=0.32) (p<0.001).In separate multivariable linear regression models; body mass index, waist circumference and percentage body fat were independently and positively associated with pulse wave velocity (p<0.01 for all) after adjusting for age, sex, systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate and cardiorespiratory fitness (p<0.01 for all).In conclusion, increased adiposity is related to arterial stiffness in healthy prepubescent children, independently of blood pressure and heart rate.Further studies are required to evaluate whether public health efforts to promote healthy lifestyles and weight loss in children will reduce arterial stiffness, attenuate the progression of subclinical cardiovascular disease, and prevent the development of subsequent cardiovascular events in the community.