Purpose: The aim of this study is to understand the essential meaning of obesity in elementary school students. Methods: The study used van Manen"s hermeneutic phenomenological method. The study participants were ten students in 4th, 5th and 6th grade from a elementary school in C city. The data was collected by close interviews along with literature, paintings, and with professional artists" works concerning children obesity. Results: A total of 3 essential meanings and 8 submeanings were emerged. The essential meanings were ?A fat kid?, ?Dominated my life by flesh?, ?Overcoming the my flesh?. 8 submeanings were "too fatty in the others"s sight", "I feel I"m too dumb", "change of daily life for flesh", ‘Flesh, adolescence, and double stress", "Wish to hide the flesh", "Acceptance of my appearance", "Practice for weight loss", "Receiving for the others of the same situation" Conclusion: Findings of this study could be utilized in planning educational programs and nursing interventions for obese elementary school students.