Abstract: The proceedings of the Congress of Nutrition in Mexico (1972) are presented in 4 general categories: review of basic knowledge and current research; clinical and epidemiological aspects of malnutrition, focusing on early life and mothers; advances of food technology and their worldwide implications; and, practical methods of approaching the nutritional problems which still face the world. The literature reviews cover such topics as the body's adaptation to malnutrition, establishing universal nutrition standards, understanding the roles of specific nutrients, and dietary factors in aging, obesity, alcoholism and atherosclerosis. Undernutrition in children and mothers is examined in terms of fertility, pregnancy, lactation, growth and infection. The section on food technology addresses availability, potential sources, animal responses to calories and protein, market adaptation, toxic substances and protein quality. The concluding section efaluates urban, national and international nutrition problems, community programs, food enrichment, nutrition education and goals, and food policy.