Yu T, Zhou W, Wu S, et al. - Among 35 children with obesity (median age: 11.80[interquartile range 10.30, 13.30] and median BMI z-score: 3.21[interquartile range 2.69, 3.71]) and 22 children with normal weight (median age: 10.85[interquartile range 8.98, 12.13] and median BMI z-score: − 0.27[interquartile range − 0.88, 0.35]), researchers conducted this cross-sectional study to examine the features of diurnal cortisol rhythm in childhood obesity and its associations with anthropometry, pubertal stage, and physical activity. Study participants were selected from the Department of Endocrinology and Child Health Care of Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2018 to June 2019. The diurnal salivary cortisol rhythm disorder is related to childhood obesity and is often affected by puberty development and physical activity. Thus, stabilizing circadian cortisol rhythms may be an important approach for childhood obesity. Stabilizing circadian cortisol rhythms may, therefore, be an effective approach to childhood obesity.