Trace elements are a major area of nutritional status which influence brain functioning and behavior. Recent studies have found significantly abnormal levels of trace nutritive minerals and trace toxic metals in the head hair of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Utilizing hair element analysis, this study examined 26 trace elements in two groups of young Appalachian children: an economically disadvantaged group drawn from Head Start programs (N = 106) and a control group (N = 56). Findings indicated an association between increased trace toxic metal concentrations and decreased trace nutritive mineral concentrations and economic disadvantagement in childhood.