Childhood overweight has doubled in the past two decades, with significant health and psychological consequences. The development of childhood overweight involves complex interactions across multiple contexts, including family, school, and community. Ecological Systems Theory (EST) provides a framework to understand these interactions. Child risk factors include dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behavior, which are influenced by child characteristics, parenting practices, and environmental factors. Future research should adopt a broader contextual approach to develop effective interventions. Children's dietary patterns are central to overweight development, with higher fat intake and preference for fatty foods increasing risk. Research shows links between dietary intake and weight status, though findings are inconsistent. Child characteristics such as gender and age interact with dietary patterns to influence weight status. Parenting styles and family characteristics shape children's eating behaviors, with parental nutritional knowledge and feeding practices playing a key role. Children's activity levels are influenced by family, school, and community factors. Lower activity levels are associated with higher BMI and fat mass. Parental participation in physical activity influences children's activity patterns, particularly among high-risk groups. School physical education programs and community factors such as access to recreational facilities also impact children's activity levels. Sedentary behaviors, such as TV viewing, are linked to increased risk of overweight. High TV viewing hours are associated with higher caloric intake and lower consumption of fruits and vegetables. Parental monitoring and control over children's TV habits influence sedentary behavior. Overall, childhood overweight is a complex issue influenced by multiple contexts. Effective interventions require addressing family, school, and community factors. Future research should adopt a broader contextual approach to develop and test models of causal processes.Childhood overweight has doubled in the past two decades, with significant health and psychological consequences. The development of childhood overweight involves complex interactions across multiple contexts, including family, school, and community. Ecological Systems Theory (EST) provides a framework to understand these interactions. Child risk factors include dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behavior, which are influenced by child characteristics, parenting practices, and environmental factors. Future research should adopt a broader contextual approach to develop effective interventions. Children's dietary patterns are central to overweight development, with higher fat intake and preference for fatty foods increasing risk. Research shows links between dietary intake and weight status, though findings are inconsistent. Child characteristics such as gender and age interact with dietary patterns to influence weight status. Parenting styles and family characteristics shape children's eating behaviors, with parental nutritional knowledge and feeding practices playing a key role. Children's activity levels are influenced by family, school, and community factors. Lower activity levels are associated with higher BMI and fat mass. Parental participation in physical activity influences children's activity patterns, particularly among high-risk groups. School physical education programs and community factors such as access to recreational facilities also impact children's activity levels. Sedentary behaviors, such as TV viewing, are linked to increased risk of overweight. High TV viewing hours are associated with higher caloric intake and lower consumption of fruits and vegetables. Parental monitoring and control over children's TV habits influence sedentary behavior. Overall, childhood overweight is a complex issue influenced by multiple contexts. Effective interventions require addressing family, school, and community factors. Future research should adopt a broader contextual approach to develop and test models of causal processes.