Peculiar situations due to physiological changes of aging, the diseases present and psychosocial factors and dietary factors can influence the nutritional status of the elderly. The purpose was to identify nutritional status and associated factors among elderly residents of a long-term institution for the elderly in Belo Horizonte-MG. Sectional study conducted using a representative random sample. Socioeconomic data, nutrient intake and anthropometry were collected and a Mini Nutritional Assessment was conducted. The analysis employed multinomial logistic regression and decision trees. There was high prevalence of overweight (46.1%) among subjects, according to body mass index, as well as risk of malnutrition, according to the Mini Nutritional Assessment (67.3%), and inadequate intake of nutrients. In the decision tree analysis, it was found that the more independent elderly, who received visits and contributed financially less to the institution, had better nutritional status. Inadequate nutritional status associated with social conditions and mobility indicates the need to promote healthy eating habits by a nutrition team in conjunction with nursing staff and other professionals providing comprehensive health care for the elderly.