Summary1. The body configurations of two groups of infants, of the same economic status and racial origin, were compared. One group, supervised in a special clinic, grew in length and weight as well as did supervised infants from a better economic environment. The unsupervised group was delayed in growth of both length and weight.2. Accompanying the delay in growth of the unsupervised group, statistically reliable changes in body configuration occurred. The changes observed correspond to those which have been described as attributes of the linear type of body build.