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Population aged 20 years and above of three selected villages of Rajasthan was studied (n = 1825) to assess prevalence of lifestyle-related risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). BMI > 24.99 was found in 13.4%, proportion of females with abdominal obesity (WHR > 0.8) was 62.6%, which was significantly higher (p < 0.00001) than of males (51.2% with WHR > 0.9); 58.3% males and 7.1% females used tobacco. Average salt consumption was 8.3 +/- 3.3 g/day. It was more than 5 g/day in 88.0% subjects and was more than 10 g/day in 21.6%. Average oil + ghee consumption was 32.3 +/- 14.9 g/day and 40.0% had sedentary lifestyle. Prevalence of hypertension was 23.1%. Results underline the need for increasing community awareness about behavioural risk factors for CVD in rural areas.