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Diet was measured by 5-day weighed inventory to search for an association between fat intake in the general population and factor VII coagulant activity (VIIc), a strong predictor of coronary heart disease. Of 275 men aged 40-59 years registered with a medical practice, 203 (74%) participated and 170 (62%) provided a satisfactory record. After allowance for the increase in fat intake with body size, a statistically significant and positive association was found between dietary fat and VIIc (r = 0.18; P less than 0.05). The correlation coefficient was increased to 0.24 when adjusted for the effect of day-to-day variability in individual fat intake, thereby providing an improved estimate of the true strength of association. The mean difference in VIIc of 12% of standard between men in the highest and lowest quarters of the distribution of fat intake was similar to that reported between men experiencing coronary heart disease and those remaining free. The results support previous experimental fat-feeding studies and suggest that a high fat diet has adverse consequences for blood coagulability and coronary thrombosis.

To assess the extent to which current dietary habits conform with the national nutritional guidelines aimed at reducing the high national mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD), 203 of 275 men (74 per cent) aged 40-59 years in a London community provided a weighed record of all food and drink consumed over 5 d. Satisfactory records were returned by 170 men weighing at least 75 per cent of their intakes, including 43 on medical or self-imposed diets. Mean (s.d.) energy intake was 2476 (590) kcal (10.38 MJ), comprising 37 per cent fat, 42 per cent carbohydrate, 14.7 per cent protein and 6.3 per cent alcohol. Butter or butter spreads were used by 53 per cent, sunflower margarine by 29 per cent and low fat spreads by 13 per cent; lard or dripping was used by 23 per cent of households as the main cooking fat. Intakes of vitamins and trace elements were generally above recommended amounts. These results are closely comparable with the only similar studies for the UK undertaken in Wales and Scotland. Compared with national guidelines, only 32 per cent of men met the short-term goals for fat intake, and even fewer the long-term goals. Carbohydrate and fibre intake remained too low. Alcohol intake exceeded the short-term goal (5 per cent of energy of less) in 36 per cent of men. Greater public health effort will be needed to reduce fat intake further for primary prevention of CHD, particularly as habitual intake is probably underestimated by the weighed dietary record.