To define the effects of sociodemographic factors and life-styles on intakes and biochemical measures of iron, thiamine, riboflavin and ascorbic acid in healthy elderly Japanese, a survey was conducted on 190 subjects aged 65 to 80 years. Results of multivariate analyses of the data indicated that, independent of the other factors, smoking was significantly and negatively associated with ascorbic acid status and its intake (expressed as its concentration per unit of energy in diets). After controlling for the other factors, participation in a nutrition education program in the past was significantly and positively associated with intakes of thiamine, riboflavin and ascorbic acid. Biochemical measures of these three vitamins were also significantly better in the participants.