Public Health Nutrition: page 1 of 10 doi:10.1017/S1368980011000711 Does the diet of Tehranian adults ensure compliance with nutritional targets? Observations from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study Firoozeh Hosseini-Esfahani 1 , Mahsa Jessri 1 , Parvin Mirmiran 1,2, *, Mahboubeh Sadeghi 1 and Fereidoun Azizi 3 1 Obesity Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 19395-4763, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran: 2 Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran: 3 Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran Submitted 30 June 2010: Accepted 25 February 2011 Abstract Objective: To analyse dietary compliance with WHO/FAO nutritional objectives, identify food subgroups that contribute to discrepancies between dietary intakes and recommendations, and assess food patterns and risk factor profiles at com- mon nutritional targets. Design: The study was a population-based, cross-sectional assessment of the dietary patterns of Tehranian adults. Usual dietary intake was assessed in relation to common nutritional targets of public health (fat, saturated fat, dietary fibre, fruit and vegetables) using a validated FFQ. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors were diagnosed based on the Iranian-modified diagnostic criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Setting: The Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (2005–2008). Subjects: A total of 2510 individuals (1121 men and 1389 women), aged between 19 and 70 years. Results: Generally, 68?5 % of total grain ounce-equivalents were derived from refined grains, with rice making up 36?6 % of all grains consumed. Solid fat (61?1 %) contributed more to discretionary energy than did added sugars (38?9 %). There was a twofold difference in fruit and vegetable consumption between the lowest and highest quartile categories of dietary fibre intake. The probability of having MetS was significantly lower in the highest quartile of fibre intake v. the lowest (OR 5 0?69, 95% CI 0?58, 0?84 v. OR 5 0?92, 95% CI 0?80, 1?03; P -trend , 0?001), whereas it was higher in the highest quartile of SFA intake v. the lowest (OR 5 0?92, 95% CI 0?78, 0?98 v. OR 5 0?71, 95% CI 0?62, 0?89; P-trend 5 0?01). Conclusions: Complying with common nutritional targets of public health is inversely associated with MetS risk factors in Tehranian adults. These results may initiate measures for future development of regional food-based dietary guidelines. Keywords Nutritional targets WHO/FAO guidelines Developing countries Dietary habits play an essential role in delaying and preventing a large number of chronic diseases (1) . The dietary habits of Iranian adults are largely influenced by the nutrition transition currently taking place in the country in the context of rapid demographic change, social development and urbanization, which is causing significant dietary changes such as increased consump- tion of inexpensive dietary energy sources, like bread, sugar, fats and oils, and decreased intakes of meat, fruits and vegetables (F&V), which are relatively more expen- sive in Iran (2) . This phenomenon has influenced disease patterns in Iran such that the prevalence of chronic dis- eases is showing an increasing trend while infectious and malnutrition diseases, although under control, are still issues of concern (3) . The prevalence of obesity in Tehran City increased significantly between 1999 and 2009 from 15?8 to 21?0% in men and from 31?5 to 38?6% in women (4) . As a consequence, the incidence of diabetes mellitus is on the rise: over 1 % of Iranian adults aged .20 years develop type 2 diabetes annually (5) . The pre- valence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) increased from 30?1 % in 2003 to 34?7 % in 2009 (6,7) . S Public Health Nutrition *Corresponding author: Email Mirmiran@endocrine.ac.ir r The Authors 2011