DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjams.2026.v14i04.018

Pages: 533-542

Obesity in children is a significant public health threat that causes a lot of physical, psychological and social problems. Owing to their regular interactions with children and families, primary care is an important setting for early identification, prevention and management. An article that reviews family-focused management of childhood obesity in primary health care is presented. It emphasizes family-centered principles, screening, and assessment, goal setting, behavior and lifestyle interventions, nutrition, physical activity promotion, and sedentary behavior reduction. It examines childhood obesity in primary health care. Additionally, the review examines the role of behavioral health, motivational interviewing, pharmacological and surgical options when appropriate, and referral pathways in complex cases. Moreover, it is important to think about the role of family, culture, health equity, care coordination, continuity of care, school and community, digital tools, quality improvement, and ethics. The evidence suggests that using family-centered approaches can boost engagement, help achieve more sustainable behaviour change, reduce stigma and better align obesity management with the child’s developmental needs and family’s priorities and circumstances. Despite evidence that most patients can cope, its use in primary care is hampered by competing clinical demands, limited training, insufficient resources, and inconsistent follow-up systems. The coordinated, culturally appropriate, and family-focused interventions that may strengthen capacity in primary care could assist in improving outcomes in childhood obesity across populations.