INTRODUCTION: This research aims to carry out a systematic review of physical activity programs that improve self-efficacy in children and adolescents with obesity, to realize their characteristics and thus design a more comprehensive and effective program for this population. OBJECTIVE: to analyze the characteristics of physical activity programs that improve self-efficacy in children and adolescents with obesity, through a systematic review. METHODOLOGY: Systematic review of observational-descriptive design; the search was realized in databases of the health area: PubMed, ERIC, Cochrane, Redalyc, and Google academic. Free access articles in English and Spanish from the last 10 years were selected. The temporality was from March 2012 to May 2022. The descriptors used were; "physical activity program", "training program", "self-efficacy", "children", "adolescents", and "obesity". RESULTS: Six studies were included (n = 10). Different types of interventions that improved self-efficacy in the participant were identified, such as recreational activities, traditional games, sports, and structured activities for health care. The methodology implemented and the timing and duration were key variables to show positive changes in childhood overweight and obesity (6 to 19 years). CONCLUSIONS: It is crucial to identify the principal health care characteristics included in programs focused on increasing self-efficacy in childhood. These features lay the foundation for designing comprehensive programs.

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