The elderly indigenous people present a high incidence of low bone mineral density, mainly in the lumbar spine, low levels of vitamin D, and a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Public health policy should also prioritize chronic degenerative diseases prevention and care for indigenous people. Healthier lifestyle in this population should be a focus for health promotion program by the governments.

Introduction: Considering the food as one of the basics for healthy aging, we identified important gaps in the knowledge of food habits and nutrition of southern Brazilian indigenous people.