en Pediatrics Original Article Original Article <strong>Background</strong>: The development of effective prevention and intervention programs in preschool period is an essential step in the fight against the obesity epidemic throughout life.<br> Objectives: This study aimed to prioritize the factors affecting the obesity prevention behaviors in 4-6 years old children from the perspective of mothers based on social cognitive theory.<br> <strong>Methods</strong>: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 240 children aged 4-6 years living in Behbahan City, Iran, in 2016. A random multi-stage sampling method was used in this study to recruit the samples. Data collection tools included a demographic information form and a questionnaire based on cognitive social theory (constructs of environment, outcome expectation, emotional coping, self-control, and self-efficacy), whose validity and reliability have been evaluated and confirmed (&alpha;>0.7). The questionnaire, based on cognitive social theory, included 4 obesity-prevention behaviors in children (physical activity, consumption of fruits and vegetables, consumption of sugar-free drinks, and screening) was completed by the mothers of these children. The Friedman test was used to analyze the obtained data in SPSS software, version 23.<br> <strong>Results</strong>: The study showed that from the mothers&rsquo; point of view, the constructs of social cognitive theory affecting obesity-prevention behaviors in 4-6 years old children do not have the same priority (P<0.01). Also, considering the mean ratings obtained in this study, the &ldquo;outcome expectation&rdquo; construct in all 4 obesity-prevention behaviors is of primary importance. The average rankings of the &ldquo;outcome expectation&rdquo; construct were 4.38, 4.39, 4.25, and 4.49 in the behaviors of physical activity, consumption of fruits and vegetables, consumption of sugar-free drinks, and screening, respectively.<br> <strong>Conclusions</strong>: In designing maternal-centered educational interventions that prevent obesity in 4- 6 years old children, the construct of &ldquo;outcome expectation&rdquo; should be given the highest priority. Obesity, Pediatric, Lifestyle, Behavior, Priorities, Planning, Health 49 56 http://jpr.mazums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1192-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Maryam Seraji serajimaryam@gmail.com 100319475328460012142 100319475328460012142 No Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran. Maryam Zahmatkeshan m.zahmatkeshan@fums.ac.ir 100319475328460012143 100319475328460012143 No Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran. Victoria Momenabadi vici.momeni@yahoo.com 100319475328460012144 100319475328460012144 No Department of Public Health, School of Health, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran. Elham Nejadsadeghi n.sadeghiel1358@yahoo.com 100319475328460012145 100319475328460012145 Yes Department of Public Health, Behbahan Faculty of Medical Sciences, Behbahan, Iran.