The physical growth of school children six to nine years of age is mainly the result of environmental factors that can be influenced by individual or collective action. The Goverment of Belize is commited to increasing social investment for human development. The identification of socio-economic and environmentally deprived communities is one of the steps in this endeavor and the height census of school children in Belize provides such a framework. The height census was designed, planned, executed and analyzed under the coordination of the Ministry of Education with the financial assistance of UNICEF and UNDP, and the technical assistance of the Pan American Health Organization through its technical center, The Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP/PAHO). The neccesary training and actual height measuring of children involved the participation of more than 600 persons, comprising principals, teachers, other personnel, together with more then 22,400 school children nationwide. The results showed that, at national level, 15.4 por cent of school children are growth retarded, either modrately or severly. The most affected district was Toledo, where 39 per cent of children were growth retarded, followed by the district of Cayo with 17.8 per cent, and Orange Walk with 16.8, Corozal with 15.8 per cent, and Stann Creek with 13.5 per cent. Belize District showed the lowes growth retardation, with 4.1 per cent of children affected. High prevalence of growth retardation was observed in population groups such as those in rural areas, those enrolled in grade levels Infant I and II, and Standard I, Maya and Hispanic children, school boys, and children attending schools under Assemblies of God management. Growth retardation differences were observed for the same ethnic groups across districts, reflecting different environmental-cultural conditions. No differences of growth retardation were observed among different age groups of the six to nine year olds. A total of forty eight communities were identified as high level growth retardation areas for interventions; most of them (81 per cent) were located in Toledo, and Stann Creek districts. Most medium level growth retardation communities were located in Cayo, Orange Walk, and Corozal districs. Three types of social and economic interventions are recommended according to the level of growth retardation (high, medium, and low)...