This study was performed to investigate the effect of family type on the nutrient intake and nutritional status in elderly women. Blood samples and anthropometric data of elderly women aged from 60 to 78 years were collected in 1996, who visited a health examination center in Seoul to screen their health status. They were divided into two groups by their family type, one was extended family(extended family elderly, n=37) and the other was independently living(independently living, n=29). Nutrients intake was measured by interview using a simplified questionaire. Albumin, cholesterol, triglyceride(TG), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit, Ca, Mg, and alkaline phosphatase activity of serum were analyzed. Intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate, Fe, vitamin A, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin C were not different between the two groups. However, fat and Ca intakes were higher(p<0.05) in extended family elderly than indepen dently living elderly. There are no significant difference in hematocrit value and serum concentrations of Hb, TG, and Ca. Serum Mg and cholesterol levels tended to be higher in extended family elderly. However, serum albumin level was lower(p<0.05) in extended family elderly. These results show that the indepen dently living elderly women had intakes of daily energy, fat and Ca compared to the extended family elderly. Therefore, the nutritional education for the independently living elderly will be focused on the health risk resulted from less intakes of Ca and total energy.