Nutrient intakes in four areas of the UK were compared, 7-d weighed intake data were obtained for representative community samples of middle-aged men in Caerphilly (South Wales), Northern Ireland, Edinburgh and Bristol (Speedwell). Intakes of energy were higher in Edinburgh than in the other three areas, but following allowance for this, differences in nutrient intakes were very small. The exceptions were P/S ratio and alcohol consumption. The P/S ratio for Northern Ireland (0.38) was considerably higher than that for the other areas (0.30 to 0.32). The proportion of heavy drinkers was higher in Edinburgh (15 per cent) than in other areas (5-9 per cent) and the proportion of abstainers was highest in Northern Ireland (38 per cent). Differences in nutrient intakes did not parallel the differences in ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality rates between the areas.