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Objectives To describe the prevalence of the risk of being undernourished in a community-dwelling population of 85-year-olds, and to study associated factors. Methods A cross-sectional community-based survey of 328 inhabitants assigned to seven primary healthcare teams was carried out. Geriatric assessment was based on sociodemographic variables, the Barthel Index ( BI), the Lawton Index ( LI), the Spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Charlson Comorbidity Index, chronic diseases, social risk measured by Gijon's Social-Familial Evaluation Scale, prescriptions and blood tests. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment ( MNA). Participants were defined as being at risk of undernourishment when they had a MNA score above or equal to 23.5. A comparative analysis was carried out between patients with and without risk of being undernourished, and a multiple logistic regression analysis was carried out. Results The prevalence risk of being undernourished was 34.5%. A statistically significant association was found with being female ( OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.28-4.54), LI ( OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.29-1.66), social risk ( OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.02-1.29) and prescription drugs taken ( OR 5.58, 95% CI 2.09-14.92). Cardiovascular prescription showed a protective association ( OR 4.34, 95% CI 1.78-10.0). No statistical differences between the risks of being undernourished were found in the laboratory analysis. Conclusions There is a high risk of being undernourished in 85-year-old subjects. This nutritional status was positively associated with being female, disability, increased social risk and a high number of prescription drugs, whereas there was a protective relationship with cardiovascular prescription. In evaluations of nutritional status in the community, a multidisciplinary assessment is more valid than analytical findings. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2014; 14: 702-709. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]