Concern for the growth and development of poor inner-city children prompted an investigation of the relationship of growth to diet, health and sociological background. Between 1973 and 1976, 1000 households in poor areas of London were screened for at-risk children between the ages of one and 12 years. Two hundred and thirty-one children from 112 families qualified for the survey. Of the white children, 21 per cent fell below the 10th percentile for height. The mean energy intake of the shortest children was 72 per cent of the RDI. Half the families spent 4.80 pounds or less per person per week on food, and 33 per cent of the children fell below the 10th percentile for height. A remedial feeding programme may be of benefit to these and similar children.