The caloric and nutrient intakes, weight, percent overweight and growth of obese and lean children aged 8-12 were compared at baseline and after the obese children participated in a six month family-based behavioral weight control program. At baseline there were no significant differences in the caloric, fat, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamin, and riboflavin intakes, or height percentiles of the obese and lean children. After six months the obese children significantly decreased their calorie, protein, fat, and carbohydrate intake, while the lean children significantly increased their protein intake. The percent overweight of the obese children decreased significantly (-18.3 percent), with no changes in percent overweight of the lean children (-0.1 percent). Both the obese (+4.3 cm) and lean (+3.8 cm) children grew significantly over six months, with no significant changes in height percentiles. At baseline and six months both groups exceeded at least two-thirds of the RDA for all nutrients studied.