We carried out a dietary intake assessment in 486 adults ≥ 20 from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. There was a strong positive association between body mass index (BMI) and serum triglycerides (β = 1.6, P < 0.05) and carbohydrate intake and triglycerides (β = 2.4, P < 0.05). There was also an association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and weight (β = 1.1, P < 0.05), age (β = 1.6, P < 0.05) and cholesterol intake (β = 0.7, P < 0.01). For 1 unit increase in either BMI, waist to hip ratio or saturated fatty acid intake, diastolic blood pressure increased 0.6, 0.9 and 0.1 mmHg, respectively (P < 0.05). Dietary and non-dietary factors have an association with, and play a role as predictors of, CVD risk factors.