Dietary survey in 40-year-old Edinburgh men.

One hundred and seven healthy 40-yr-old Edinburgh men were asked to participate in a dietary survey involving a 7-d weighed record. Ninety seven successfully completed the record. The results showed that the total energy was made up of 13 per cent protein, 38 per cent fat, 40 per cent carbohydrate and 9 per cent alcohol. A small proportion of the men had exceptionally high alcohol intakes. The mean intake of fat was high, 121 g, it is nevertheless lower than amounts consumed in other areas of Britain. Of the energy from fat, 16 per cent came from saturated-fatty acid, 15 per cent from monounsaturated-fatty acid and 4 per cent from polyunsaturated-fatty acid. Linoleic acid contributed 3 per cent of the mean energy intake. In some mens' diet this essential fatty acid provided under 2 per cent of their total energy consumption.