INTERMAP: background, aims, design, methods, and descriptive statistics (nondietary) FREE!
J Stamler, P Elliott, B Dennis, AR Dyer, H Kesteloot, K Lui, H Ueshima and BF Zhou for the INTERMAP Research Group

What is the role of dietary factors in the development of unfavourable blood pressure patterns? The INTERMAP study is a basic epidemiological investigation undertaken to examine the correlation between multiple nutrients and worldwide patterns of blood pressure. INTERMAP coordinated the work of international scientists exploring the striking variations in blood pressure between populations and individuals, and the explanation for these variables.

INTERMAP: the dietary data - process and quality control
B Dennis, J Stamler, M Buzzard, R Conway, P Elliott, A Moag-Stahlberg, A Okayama, N Okuda, C Robertson, F Robinson, S Schakel, M Stevens, N Van Heel, L Zhao and BF Zhou for the INTERMAP Research Group

Dennis et al (pages 609 - 622) detail the quality controls, methods and dietary data collected for this new international, population based study. The underlying concept being that single nutrients have small but additive effects on blood pressure.

Nutrient intakes of middle-aged men and women in China, Japan, United Kingdom, and United States in the late 1990s: The INTERMAP study
BF Zhou, J Stamler, B Dennis, A Moag-Stahlberg, N Okuda, C Robertson, L Zhao, Q Chan and P Elliott for the INTERMAP Research Group

This report assesses the possible relation of dietary patterns to differential patterns of CVD between East Asian and Western diets. Here, Zhou et al (pages 623 - 630) define the significant differences and related health risks between the two diets. Higher levels of total fat, saturated fat and therefore serum total cholesterol in the West relate to higher mortality from coronary heart disease. In comparison, the Asian diet had a higher sodium/potassium ratio, leading to the increased risk of adverse blood pressure and stroke.

Differences in cardiovascular disease risk factors between Japanese in Japan and Japanese-Americans in Hawaii: the INTERLIPID study
H Ueshima, A Okayama, S Saitoh, H Nakagawa, B Rodriguez, K Sakata, N Okuda, SR Choudhury and JD Curb for the INTERLIPID Research Group

In spite of the high smoking rate and increasing serum total cholesterol in Japan, mortality from coronary heart disease remains lower than within Western society. Ueshima et al (pages 631 - 640) examine the dietary differences between Japanese populations living in geographically different areas, Japan and Hawaii. Their data shows body mass index, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total fat intake are lower in the Japanese population living in Japan. General coronary heart disease risk factors are lower in East Asian diets.

Dietary intake in male and female smokers, ex-smokers, and never smokers: The INTERMAP study FREE!
AR Dyer, P Elliott, J Stamler, Q Chan, H Ueshima and BF Zhou for the INTERMAP Research Group

Are there differences between the dietary intakes of smokers, ex-smokers and never smokers? Dyer et al (pages 641 - 654 have analysed the variations to discover that compared to never smokers, current smokers gain more of their energy from alcohol and saturated fatty acids, less energy from vegetable protein and carbohydrates and less dietary fibre and vitamins. In short, smokers have less healthy diets than non-smokers.

Higher blood pressure in middle-aged American adults with less education: role of multiple dietary factors: The INTERMAP study FREE!
J Stamler, P Elliott, L Appel, Q Chan, M Buzzard, B Dennis, AR Dyer, P Elmer, P Greenland, D Jones, H Kesteloot, L Kuller, D Labarthe, K Lui, A Moag-Stahlberg, M Nichaman, A Okayama, N Okuda, C Robertson, B Rodriguez, M Stevens, H Ueshima, L Van Horn and BF Zhou for the INTERMAP Research Group

Along with dietary factors, this collaboration has investigated the inverse relationship between education and blood pressure. Stamler et al (pages 655 - 664) investigate this phenomenon finding that multiple specific dietary factors and body mass account for more adverse blood pressure levels of less educated than more educated Americans. Within the US less education leads to higher blood pressure, independent of ethnic group.