Nutritional status measures as predictors of nutritional risk in preschool children.

Data from 19 dietary and biochemical indices of nutritional status for 419 participants in the Preschool Nutrition Survey were analyzed to determined the smallest number of variables that could be used to identify all children with any of measure below a criterion of adequacy. Serum transferrin iron and dietary iron intake identified 74% of those at nutritional risk. Additional information on dietary calories, calcium, ascorbic acid, thiamin, and vitamin A identified all subjects at risk.