A study was undertaken to assess the essential fatty acid (EFA) nutritional status of apparently normal Indian men belonging to different socioeconomic groups with varied intakes of energy and fat. The mean levels of linoleic acid were low in subjects of low socioeconomic groups and this could be attributed to the low intake of dietary fat and therefore of linoleic acid. The mean levels of eicosatrienoic acid (20:3 omega 9), arachidonic acid (20:4 omega 6) and their ratios, 20:3 omega 9/20:4 omega 6 were, however, not altered. The levels of other fatty acids were also not altered. The ratio of linoleic/arachidonic acids was similar in all the three groups suggesting that the metabolism of linoleic to arachidonic acid is not affected in undernutrition. The observation that the plasma levels of linoleic acid were reduced and that the ratio of eicosatrienoic/arachidonic acids, which is a good indicator of EFA status, was normal in the very low socioeconomic group (VLSG) suggests that the requirements of EFA may be met even at these levels of linoleic acid intake, derived from the habitual cereal-based diets. The mean levels of plasma total cholesterol were low in both the low socioeconomic groups. Levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were however similar in all the three groups, suggesting that dietary fat intake and nutritional status may not significantly influence HDL cholesterol levels.