Risk factors associated with malnutrition were examined in rural Jamaica. Socioeconomic data were obtained on 63 well-nourished and 14 malnourished children. Risk factors associated with malnutrition were birth weight less than 2.5 kg (P < 0.01), maternal age equal to or greater than 25 years (P < 0.05) and landlessness (P < 0.05). Interventions aimed at reducing these factors can go a long way in reducing the malnutrition problem in developing countries.