This study compared the proportion of 1- to 5-year-olds in poor and non-poor households whose intakes of key nutrients were inadequate. Data were obtained from the 1986 United States Department of Agriculture Nationwide Food Consumption Survey and Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals. An intake below 70 percent of the Recommended Daily Allowance was identified as the cutoff for dietary inadequacy; poverty was defined as a household income below 130 percent of the poverty threshold. The findings indicated that there were major differences between poor and non-poor children in their intake of 10 out of 16 nutrients (calories, folate, iron, magnesium, thiamine, zinc, and vitamins A, B6 C, and E). The extent of substandard nutrient intakes among millions of poor youngsters corresponds with independent data on widespread hunger among the nation's poor children. Dietary inadequacy is related to several problematic health outcomes, including iron deficiency and anemia, and stunting and wasting. (Contains 24 references.) (KB)