This study was designed to obtain the information concerning food intake, dietary habits, functional status, health condition and cognitive status of the elderly using public health center in Ulsan area. The subjects of this study consisted 154 elderly persons aged 60~82 years. Interviews were conducted using the health habits and food frequency questionnaires to provide basic information for nutrition education program. We evaluated the current food intake, dietary cholesterol intake (cholesterol index), functional status, cognitive function and blood analysis of the subjects. The results of this study were as follows : Mean age of the subjects was 68.7 $pm$ 6.7years. The average cognitive status score of the subjects was 7.9 $pm$ 2.0 (full score was 10.0). Male had a higher cognitive status score than female. There was significant difference between cognitive status score and age, education level, pocket money, physical activity and living condition. The subjects who had a higher cognitive status score ate more fish and meats group and milk and milk products than the subjects had a lower cognitive status score. And hemoglobin level, serum triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and atherogenic index affected to cognitive status while fasting blood glucose and LDL-cholesterol did not any effect on cognitive status. These results have demonstrated that various socioeconomic variables and food intake pattern and nutritional status affect on cognitive status with aging and suggest that proper nutrition education and adequate nutrient intake in quality and quantity are essential in maintaining cognitive status in later life.