Objective To investigate the risk factors for ischemic stroke in Uygur population in Xinjiang, China. Methods Using a case-control study mode, 504 Uygur patients with first-ever ischemic stroke and 507 Uygur healthy subjects w ere investigated in accordance w ith the principle of the ethnic, sex, and age matching. The risk factors for ischemic stroke w ere screened. Results Multivariate logistic regres-sion analysis showed that the obesity (odds ratio [OR] 4.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.80-12.94;P=0.002), hypertension ( OR 8.20, 95%CI 4.93-13.51; P<0.001), and heart disease ( OR 2.40, 95%CI 1.07-5.39;P=0.033) w ere the independent risk factors for ischemic stroke in Uygurs. While the education level of junior high school or above ( OR 0.38, 95%CI 0.18-0.81;P=0.012), tea drinking habit ( OR 0.22, 95%CI0.06-0.70; P=0.021), siesta habit ( OR 0.38, 95%CI 0.24-0.59; P<0.001), high levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( OR 0.34, 95%CI 0.20-0.59; P<0.001), and apolipoprotein A ( OR 0.23, 95%CI 0.07-0.77; P=0.017) were the protective factors for ischemic stroke. Conclusions The risk factors for ischemic stroke are more and typical in Uygur population in Xinjiang, China. Adjusting the diet structure of Uygurs, less taking meats and high-salt diet, intaking high fiber foods and fish, and appropriate physical exercise w il play an important role for the prevention of stroke in Uygur population.