Table 3.

The utility of Edmonton Obesity Staging System in therapeutic decision-making

Stage	Description	Level of Prevention	Management
0	No apparent obesity-related risk factors, physical symptoms, psychopathology, functional limitations and/or impairment of well-being.	Primordial/No intervention	Identification of risk factors for weight gain and encouraging healthy eating and physical activity.
1	Subclinical obesity risk factors (including biochemical), physical symptoms, psychopathology, functional limitations and/or well-being mildly impaired.	Primordial	Identification and correction of risk factors and encouraging healthy eating and physical activity.
2	Established obesity and related chronic diseases, moderate limitations in activities of daily living and/or well-being	Primary	Behavioral therapy with supportive medication therapy for biochemical abnormalities and comorbidities
3	Established end-organ damage, significant psychopathology, significant functional limitations, and/or well-being impairment	Secondary	Medical therapy/bariatric surgery
4	Severe (potentially end-stage) disabilities from obesity-related chronic diseases, disabling psychopathology, functional limitations, and/or well-being impairment	Tertiary	Bariatric surgery