We report the nutritional profile of children 5 years of age or younger admitted to a ward of a tertiary teaching hospital in Kerala, India. We surveyed 40 children admitted to a ward of the Sri Avittam Thirunal Hospital (SAT), Trivandrum, during one calendar month in 2008. The measures included an assessment of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM), Stunting, Wasting and Obesity. We also explored the socioeconomic, gender and age factors impacting on these measures. Prevalence of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) was 27.5 % as classified by the Indian Academy of Pediatricians (IAP), 48 % of subjects were found to be stunted. 50 % had wasting and 13 % were overweight. Boys were more likely to develop PEM (O.R=2.9), stunting (O.R=1.9) and wasting (O.R=2.2). Girls were more likely to be overweight/obese (O.R= 2.00). Those classified ‘Below Poverty Line’ (BPL) were less likely to develop PEM (O.R= 0.3), stunting (O.R=0.4) or wasting (O.R=0.8).Those ‘Above Poverty Line’ (APL) were more likely to be overweight (O.R=1.60). This study indicates the prevalence of both malnutrition and obesity in an Indian hospital population.