Objective: To investigate the childrens congenital and acquired nutritional status and the physical development among the different nationalities in Guizhou province; to find out the factors that greatly influence the childrens physical development. Methods: Investigations were carried out on the diet, height and the weight of the mothers during the early and late stage of their pregnancy and after the delivery of the babies. Results: The living conditions in the groups of Miao and Buyi were very poor. For the pregnant women among Han, Miao and Buyi groups, during their middle and late stage of the pregnancy, the intakes of protein, calcium and VB 2 did not reach 80% RDA. For the 2-4 years old children, the intake of protein was below 80% RDA. For those in Miao and Buyi groups, the chief source of protein was from cereals. There was a great insufficient intake of calcium and VB 2 in different age groups of the children mentioned above. With the increase of age, the infants of Buyi and Miao groups were gradually diverting from the standard criterion from 3rd or 4th month. The greatest difference was in Miao group, i.e. at the age of 6, the difference in height was 9.8 cm(male), 8.3 cm(female); the difference in weight was 1.64 kg(male), 1.92 kg(female). Conclusion: The physical development of the infants in Buyi and Miao groups is inferior to those in Han group. Besides the environmental influence, the quality and quantity of the protein in diet play an important role in physical development.