In the past several decades, relationships between various lifestyle behaviors and the development of cardiovascular risk factors have been identified. Nutritional status/eating behaviors and physical activity patterns both directly and indirectly are related to the development of coronary heart disease. For example, obesity, which may be a result of both eating and physical activity behaviors, greatly increases the risk of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus, placing the individuals at greater risk for coronary heart disease. Dietary factors such as composition in fatty acids and cholesterol, composition in vegetable protein and complex carbohydrates, caloric excess and a high intake of salt also are related to the development of risk of coronary heart disease.