In this article, we undertake a critical analysis of the literature on obesity using the prism of psychoanalysis as a theoretical framework. Our review of the literature covers a period from the 1970s to the present day. We place particular emphasis on the work of leading French and American authors. The main themes addressed by these authors revolve around understanding the causes of obesity, the underlying operational mechanisms, and the perception of a deficit of emotional symbolization within this population. In addition, obesity is seen as a potential effect of a narcissistic disorder. We have identified that the question of separation from the Other and the manifestation of the lack of the primary object constitute points of convergence between different theoretical perspectives.