The Saudi Journal of Medical Insights

Background: Childhood obesity is a critical public health challenge in Saudi Arabia. Objective: This review synthesizes evidence on its prevalence, risk factors, and management from family medicine perspectives.Methods: Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for studies published up to 2025. Observational studies and trials reporting prevalence, risk factors, or management of childhood obesity in Saudi Arabia were included. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.Results: Ten studies (published 2021–2025) varied by region, sample size, and growth standards were included. Prevalence estimates varied widely due to methodological differences, though a nationwide study using Saudi growth charts reported obesity at 9.4% and overweight at 11.2%. Key modifiable risk factors included high consumption of fast food, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages; low physical activity; and excessive screen time. A critical and consistent finding was widespread parental misperception of children’s weight status, with significant underestimation linked to familial normalization of obesity. Parental knowledge was often high, but practices did not align with awareness. Studies highlighted the influence of paternal self-efficacy and feeding practices, as well as socio-demographic factors such as parental education and family history of obesity. Conclusion: Childhood obesity in Saudi Arabia is a multifactorial issue sustained by unhealthy dietary patterns, sedentary behaviors, and deeply embedded familial perceptions. Findings indicate the need for family-centered interventions from generic awareness campaigns to integrated, family-centered interventions that address perceptual gaps and build practical skills.