Research on childhood obesity offers differing theories on the etiology of obesity in childhood. This review presents an overview of the history of the development of obesity, the development of pediatric obesity, the differing etiological theories surrounding pediatric obesity, and the history of treatment options for pediatric obesity. Additionally, this review provides a framework for future directions for the treatment of pediatric obesity. Cognitive factors to add to future treatment are explored, especially cognitive food preoccupation in children. A discussion of the possible mechanisms that influence the development of child food preoccupation, like parental factors, is also provided. This review suggests that by adding cognitive factors, like child food preoccupation, and parental factors, such as parenting style, to the study of pediatric obesity, we may be able to enhance the understanding of the etiology and ultimate treatment of childhood obesity.

Key words. Childhood Obesity, Cognitive Food Preoccupation, BMI.