Childhood obesity is a major health issue in pediatric practice. The old idea that "a chubby baby is a healthy baby" is not necessarily the case. Social stigmas and recidivism surrounding obesity make addressing families and their children difficult; however, with early intervention, treatment can be successful. Prevention of obesity with health maintenance surveillance and family-focused behavior modification is the foundation for a healthy lifestyle and may prove the most effective way of avoiding long-term obesity-related morbidity.