In recent years, the incidence of obesity has been increasing, bringing a serious burden to human health and the social economy. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) is a polypeptide highly homologous with insulin in structure, which participates in the metabolism of various substances in the body and is closely related to the occurrence and development of obesity. This article outlines the composition of the IGF axis and focuses on the role of IGF in the development of obesity as well as the underlying mechanisms, aiming to provide new ideas and strategies for the prevention and treatment of obesity.