This paper concerns classification of obesity in the children and adolescents, one of the debatable issues in modern pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology. The historical sketch of various classifications of obesity in the children and adolescents accepted in this country and abroad is presented with special reference to the advantages and disadvantages of each variant. The authors emphasize the difficulty of  developing a unified classification of the multifactor disease being considered. A new classification of obesity in the children and adolescents is proposed that takes into consideration the etiological aspects, complications, co-morbid conditions, and the degree of obesity. The possible variants of diagnosis formulation taking account of the present-day international classification of diseases are discussed.