This paper examined the relationship between temporary migration and childhood malnutrition in Guatemala and questioned whether migration patterns or low socioeconomic status produced a special risk group. The study emphasized policy implications of high priorities placed on population redistribution in Latin American governments and the consequences of circular migration on social well-being. Data were obtained from a 1974-76 field survey of birth spacing, infant mortality, and child development in four rural Guatemalan communities and a longitudinal study of nutrition, physical growth, and mental development conducted during 1969-76 in the same communities. Study results illustrated the advantages of retrospective survey instruments and the importance for policy purposes of classifying circular migrants into distinct groups, i.e., perennial, occasional, or commuter. The study found negative associations between father's seasonal migration and child's nutritional status when the child stayed home; children who accompanied their fathers actually experienced better nutritional status. Both perennial patterns of seasonal migration and specific migration episodes were associated with changes in nutritional status and suggested characteristics for identifying at-risk populations for program interventions. Accompanying data include migrant status, socioeconomic characteristics of migrant/nonmigrant groups, variables in regression analysis, and nutritional status regressions with detailed migration characteristics. (LFL)