We assessed dietary patterns of 72 college students and 72 parents. The purpose of this study was to compare the difference in selected nutrient intakes and dietary atherogenicity between young and old generations. Three-day dietary records were used as a tool in collecting data and the diets were analyzed by the computer program Nutritionist IV. Average calori intakes of students and parents were 1,881.5kcal and 1,866.4kcal. Fat intakes were higher for students than those of parents, but problem intakes were higher for parents than those of students. Carbohydrate, protein and fat ratios in energy compositiion of students and parents were respectively 57.6:16.4:26.4 and 59.4:18.3:22.5. Students had slightly higher calcium intakes and consumed more milk exchanges than did parents, but students had lower values than parents when expressed as %RDAs for calcium. Our findings of higher consumptions of fat and sugar, lower fiber intakes, and higher atherogenic scores of diets such as cholesterol index, Keys score and Hegsted score in students than in their parents, would place our students at a higher risk for obesity and cardiovascular diseases.