Childhood obesity is associated with health complications, including elevated blood pressure, hyperinsulinaemia and glucose intolerance, and respiratory abnormalities. The effects of childhood obesity on morbidity and mortality suggest that effective prevention and intervention for childhood obesity is essential. In most obesity treatments, reduction of caloric intake is the most significant contribution to negative energy balance. Increased physical activity, however, also contributes, and may accelerate weight loss and improve maintenance of lost weight. Children have a right to treatment for their obesity no matter how difficult it is to engage them or their parents in treatment. Parents and obese children should be clear that the child has a lifelong predisposition to obesity. More research is planned to investigate whether weight regain can be prevented if the treatment programme is followed by individualized booster sessions in which the children learn maintenance strategies or relapse prevention techniques.