Background: The aim of the present study was to examine the serum lipid profile in obese Chinese children, their serum lipid and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and B (apoB) levels were examined. Methods: The subjects were 153 patients (109 male and 44 female) aged 4-16 years with obesity, who attended the outpatient clinic of Beijing Children's Hospital. Percentage bodyweight (%BW) ([(bodyweight - standard weight)/standard weight]x 100) were obtained. Skinfold thickness and hip and waist circumference were measured. Percentage body fat (%BF) was estimated by bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Serum total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), triglyceride (TG), apoA-I and apoB levels were also measured. Results: TC showed an acceptable level in 86.8% of obese children. The prevalence of high TC levels (3.3%) or high LDLC levels (6.0%) was rather low. The HDLC level was reduced in 31.3% of obese children. Anthropometric variables had no linear relationship to TC, HDLC, TG, LDLC, apoA-I or apoB, but in the older age group (over 10 years old) %BW and %BF showed a weak correlation with HDLC (r = -0.202, r = -0.211, respectively). Conclusion: In obese Chinese children, HDLC as well as TC levels should be examined in order to assess coronary risk.