Printed in USA Nutritional Status of Preschool Children I. Dietary and Biochemical Findings1’2

T HE NUTRITION of time young cimild is rec-ognized as an important environmental factor affecting growth and development. Moreover, food practices and attitudes es-tabhisheti diuring the early years are be-lieved to affect food choice and conse-quently nutritional status tlmroughout life. Time following study was undertaken to de-fine mmumtritioimal status whim regard to nutri-ent intake and certain biochmemical meas-uirememmts imm two groups of prescimool childi-emm from distinctly different socio-econommmi c l)ackgrounds. Biocimemical meas-tmrenmemmts selected for study were those as-sociated whim growtlm or timose which reflect dietary intake of certain nutrients. Urinary excretiomm of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantotimenic acid, nitrogen, and creatinine; hemoglobin and imematocrit levels in blood; and serum chmolesterol valimes will be reported. PROCEDURE Time sample consisted of 40 prescimool cimildren ranging in age from 3#{189}to 51/2 years, all resi-dents of Limicolmm, Nebraska. Time subjects were divided into two groups with 20 cimildren in each groimp. All children from group H (higimer socioecommomiic status) attended time Umiiversi t