The African-American population of the United States continues to experience high rates of mortality from cardiovascular (CV) disease, including coronary heart disease, stroke and renal failure. The major syndromes which determine CV risk, including obesity, hypercholesterolemia, glucose intolerance, and hypertension, all occur more frequently among African Americans. Nutritional factors underlie many forms of CV disease and are an important focus of current prevention efforts. Very little is currently known, however, about specific nutritional patterns among African Americans that might lead to CV risk, or the applicability of structured interventions.