This study was undertaken to know about the dietary pattern and nutrition status of adult Yi people in Liangshan autonomous region so that to provide evidence to ameliorate and promote the health and prevent nutrition-related diseases. 220 families, 468 inhabitants aged from 18 to 60, were sampled for the survey by a multistage, stratified, random, cluster process. Questionnaire-survey and measurement of height and weight were executed on the spot. Between rural and urban Yi inhabitants, there were differences in income, dietary pattern and eating habit. Compared with RNIs, dietary nutrients intakes of adult Yi people were irrational and differences lay between rural and urban. For urban inhabitants, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 188%, and the prevalence of emaciation was 4.7%; while for rural inhabitants, the prevalence of emaciation was 9.8%, but no prevalence of overweight and obesity. There was obvious imbalance in energy and nutrients intakes of rural and urban adult Yi people in Liangshan. Emaciation, overweight and obesity prevalence was different between these two subgroups of population.