The physical growth of children six to nine years of age is mainly the result of environment factors that can be influenced by indivdual or collective action. The government of Belize is committed to increasing social investment for human development.The identification of Socio-economic and environmentally deprived communities is one of the first steps in this endeavor and the hight 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.The necessary Tarining and actual height measuring of children involved the active participation of more than 600 persons,comprising principals,teachers,other personnel,together with more than 22400 school children nationwide.The results showed that,at national level,15.4 percent of school children are growth retarded,either moderately or severly.The mostaffected district was Toledo,where 39 percent of children were growth retarded,followed by the districts of Cayo with 17.8 per cent,Orange Walk with 16.8,Corozal with 15.8 per cent,and Stann Creek with 13.5 per cent.Belize District showed the lowest 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 1,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 districtsreflecting different environmentalcultural conditions.No differences of growth retardation were observed amongdifferent age groups of the six to nine year olds.A total of forty eight communities were identified as high level of growth retardation areas for interventions;most of them were located in Toledo,and StannCreek districts.Most medium level of growth retardation communities were located in Cayo,Orange Walk and Corozal districts.Three types of social and economic interventions are recommended according to the level of growth retardation.Most urgent emergencyprotective and promotional interventions must address high level communities and protective and promotional interventions for medium level