INTERMAP's cross-sectional design is patterned after the tested INTERSALT model: a large sample size of 4,680 persons, half men and half women, ages 40-59 from 17 population samples of varied ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES) and dietary habits in four countries (China, Japan, United Kingdom and the United States). There were eight United States INTERMAP centers. Specific aims involve elucidating influences on blood pressure of the amount and type of protein, lipids, carbohydrates, and also amino acids, calcium, magnesium, antioxidants, fiber, and caffeine. Primary hypotheses tested, with control for body mass index (BMI), intake of alcohol, age, sex, and other confounders are as follow: dietary protein is inversely related to blood pressure; inverse relations between education and blood pressure are significantly accounted for by education-related differences in dietary protein intake; there is a direct relation to blood pressure of dietary saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, Keys score, starch; there is an inverse relation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids. Randomly selected participants provide one timed 24-hr. urine collection for assessment of sodium, potassium, creatine, and urea, and complete four 24-hr. dietary recalls. Blood pressure was measured eight times at each of four clinic visits, with standardization and strict quality control of all procedures.