This paper presents the nutritional status of the elderly Brazilian population (60 years and older) based on a probabilistic sample survey in 1989. Nutritional assessment used the BMI (kg/m2), with cut-off points recommended by the WHO (1995). Socio-demographic variables included age, gender, region and place of residence in the country (urban/rural area), income, education, and housing conditions. Prevalence rates for thinness (BMI < 18.5) and overweight (BMI > or = 25) were 7.8% and 30.4% in men and 8.4% and 50.2% in women, higher than in the young adult population. Thinness was more frequent in older women, in rural areas from the Midwest/Northeast regions (women) and Southeast/Midwest (men), in groups with lower income, less schooling, and worse housing conditions. Overweight was more frequent in women from urban areas in the South and Southeast and groups with higher income, more schooling, and better housing conditions. The results indicate problematic nutritional status in the Brazilian elderly, particularly women.