The excessive body fat has become one of the major health concerns in childhood populations. The energy imbalance resulting from high-energy intake and low energy expenditure of the children has been reported as contributing to the development of overweight and obese children. This study attempts to examine the relationship of parental behavior, food environment and societal influences on the prevalence of child obesity in Kuala Lumpur. Cross-sectional survey design was employed to access the childhood population in Kuala Lumpur. Questionnaires were then distributed to the children aged between 12 to 17 years old (n=200) on the impact of their parents’ behavior, home and school food environment, mass media and advertisement to the development of childhood obesity. Quantitative analysis of data was carried out using SPSS 21. The prevalence of child obesity in Kuala Lumpur was confirmed as 101.4% of the children were classified as obese, and this study found that the parents’ behavior (p=0.000) and food environment (p=0.000) greatly influence the development of obesity in children. The awareness in the roles of parents, school and the public as a whole can reduce the prevalence of child obesity by educating the children and promoting eating healthy and lifestyle.
