RESUMEN
This study included 180 schoolchildren aged 8-12 years of both sexes selected randomly from primary public schools in the year 2001. Weight for age and height for age indices were used to assess the nutritional status and dietary adequacy. Dietary intake analysis showed that the mean intake of nutrients was low among underweight children compared with the recommended dietary allowance [RDA]. Two thirds of the underweight male children and half of the female consumed from 50% to >75% of their energy RDA. As regards protein consumption, it was found that 50% of the underweight female schoolchildren consumed <75% of RDA. Also, in relation to zinc, the majority of both male [69.3%] and female [68.4%] children consumed <50% of their zinc RDA. The anthropometric measurements of these children showed that stunting affected 8.9% of males and 2.5% of female children. Underweight males and females were almost the same [3% and 2.5%, respectively]