In this matched case-control study from Oslo, risk factors for hip fracture were assessed in elderly non-institutionalized women and men. 246 hip fracture patients admitted to two hospitals in the course of one year were matched by sex and age to controls living in the catchment area of the hospitals We found increased risk of hip fracture in lean persons, in persons with self-reported weight loss because of poor appetite, and in persons with low food intake. One third of the hip fracture patients ate less than three slices of bread per day and one fourth ate less than three meals a day. We found no relation between calcium intake and hip fracture, whereas higher risk of fracture was suggested in persons with low vitamin D intake. Hip fracture was also associated with low levels of physical activity, low hand grip strength, smoking, low level of education, and frequent admissions to hospital prior to the study.