Data from the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1976-1980) and the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1982-1984) were analyzed. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratio (OR) for hypertension for each ethnic group, with adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI), and diabetes status. Comparisons were made to assess whether the magnitude for the ethnicity ORs changed when the three nutrient variables were entered into the model.