Differences in body composition were evaluated according with nutritional status in 677 Venezuelan children aged 2 to 6 years of low socioeconomic status. Nutritional assessment was performed through height-for-age and weight-for-height using WHO guidlines. Arm muscle and fat area, energy/protein index, body mass index, humerus and femur diameters were taken as indicators of body composition. Results revealed 18.5% and 11% malnourished children for height-for-age and weight-for-height. Differences were shown according with cutt-off-points, degree of deficits, sex and age. Applying a stepwise analysis to groups of malnourished children reveals body mass index, energy/protein index and femur width in girls, and energy/protein index, humerus and femur width in boys, as significantly related to malnutrition. These data suggest that estimated of bone growth and muscle reserves of the arm, provide a useful indication of nutritional status especially for boys.Auxology'94. Humanbiolo. Budapest. 25;541-547. (1994)