A BALANCED DIET, including normal intake of essential amino acids, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, is important to maintain health and a sensible body weight. However, nutritional needs vary from one life stage to another. The scarcity or excessive intake in any of these substances could disturb the nutritional and metabolic homeostasis of the body and lead to increased risk for several pathologic conditions. Thus, dietary modification presents a powerful means by which we can minimize or prevent the onset of several risk factors for different disAssessment of selected nutrient intake and adipocytokine profile among Saudi children and adults Nasser M. Al-Daghri 1), 2), 3) , Abdulaziz Al-Othman 2), 4) , Khalid M. Alkharfy 1), 2), 5) , Majed S. Alokail 1), 2), 3) , Nasiruddin Khan 2) , Hanan A Alfawaz 6) , Ibrahim A. Aiswaidan 7) and George P. Chrousos 1), 8) Abstract. We report the dietary intake of selected nutrients in apparently healthy adults and children and its correlation with circulating levels of serum leptin and resistin. In this observational study, 47 Saudi children (mean age 13.1 ± 2.8 year) and 47 adults (mean age 45.7 ± 10.5 year) were recruited. Anthropometric data and lipid profile were obtained. Food intake was assessed by a food questionnaire and a 24-hour diet recall method. The dietary intake of selected nutrients was compared with the estimated average requirement (EAR) or adequate intake (AI) for establishing nutritional status. Results demonstrated that the levels of choline and calcium intake were significantly lower than the EAR in adults (p= 0.01 and 0.04, respectively) and relatively low in children. The level of manganese in adults was significantly higher (p= 0.02) than their AI level. The increasing levels of dietary vitamin B6 and B12 were associated with a significant increase in serum concentrations of leptin in adults and children (p=0.02). Overall, the dietary intakes of selected nutrients in Saudi adults and children were not adequate with most of them below cut-off EAR values except for essential amino acids.