Nutritional deficiencies common in Latin American populations constitute a leading public health problem and appear to pose a serious obstacle to social and economic development in many countries. The problem of maternal malnutrition is especially acute, partly because pregnant women tend to experience particularly severe malnutrition, and partly because a mother's nutritional problem tends to affect the nutritional state of her child. This article presents some basic guidelines for programs seeking to improve the nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women in Latin America.