This study is the Swedish part of a world-wide transcultural and interdisciplinary study in elderly populations which addresses food habits, health and life-style. The aim of this paper is to present the general design including an analysis of non-response, and to identify risk-groups for intervention programmes. The study comprised 217 noninstitutionalized males (n = 73) and females (n = 144), aged 70 and over (mean age 78 years) in a small urban area. Home visits and clinical examinations with standard methods were used. The participation rate was 76%. Significant differences between non-respondents and respondents could be seen, which may be important when planning health promotion. On the basis of experiences during the examinations, a risk-group was identified for prospective and intervention study purposes, based on a multiple variable model and a clinical model.