Assess if parental adherence to the Satter Division of Responsibility in Feeding (sDOR) predicts nutrition risk in pre-kindergarten children. Baseline measures from outcomes assessment of NEEDs for Tots, an early childhood curriculum based on sDOR tenets, were completed online by predominately lower income parents of children 3-5 years old. Adherence to sDOR was examined by the observationally validated Satter Feeding Dynamics Inventory (fdSI); child nutrition risk was assessed with NutriSTEP, and eating competence (EC) was measured with ecSI 2.0. Independent samples t-tests compared fdSI calculation and NutriSTEP score by EC and SNAP participation. Linear and logistic regression models measured the association between fdSI and NutriSTEP controlling for sex, race, SNAP participation and EC. Parents (n=44) were young (30.2 ± 6. y) female (96%), predominantly black (65%), and SNAP participants (66% current or past year); 57% were EC. NutriSTEP mean score was 18.9±6.4 with 59% of children at low nutrition risk, 30% at moderate and 11% at high nutrition risk. fdSI calculation and NutriSTEP score did not differ by EC or SNAP participation (P > 0.05). fdSI calculation and NutriSTEP score were inversely associated (p=0.002), and each 1-unit decrease in fdSI predicted a higher nutrition risk category (OR= 2.47, 95% CI: 2.28-2.65, P=0.006). Parental adherence to the sDOR is associated with lower child nutrition risk and independently predicted category of nutrition risk. Interventions that enhance caregiver adherence to sDOR may improve child nutrition status.