Data on heights and weights of women measured as part of a longitudinal study on maternal and child health in Tamil Nadu state, south India are presented and discussed in relation to various socioeconomic and demographic factors. The mean (+/- SD) heights in rural and urban women were 151.2 +/- 5.4 cm and 150.8 +/- 6.6 cm respectively. The mean weights were 42.6 +/- 5.4 kg; and 44.0 +/- 7.9 kg respectively. The mean BMI were 18.6 +/- 2.2 and 19.4 +/- 3.5 respectively. The differences were statistically significant. Forty two per cent of rural and 48 per cent of urban women were less than either 145 cm in height or 40 kg in weight. The need to identify and care for such women as part of the "Risk Approach" in maternal and child health programmes is emphasized.