Obesity Diagnosis, Classification
and Staging
The following recorded presentation and accompanying slides provide an overview of the diagnosis
and staging of obesity.
This resource outlines current approaches to diagnosing and classifying obesity, including the use of body mass index (BMI) and waist to height ratio.
The presentation also introduces the Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS), a clinically useful framework that goes beyond BMI to assess obesity-related health risks and functional impact, supporting more tailored and meaningful care planning.
You can watch the presentation in full or refer directly to the slide deck for key points and visuals
to support your learning.
To support your understanding of the concepts introduced in the presentation, the following two resources are provided:
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EASO Infographic on the Framework for Obesity Diagnosis, Staging, and Management:
Developed by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO), this infographic presents
a framework that reframes obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease. It outlines a structured approach
to diagnosis, staging, and management, supporting alignment with chronic disease care models.
This resource is particularly helpful for understanding the shift toward long-term, person-centred obesity care and is useful for visualising how the new framework can be applied in practice.
This resource was developed for the European Association for the Study of Obesity by Dr Michael Crotty MICGP SCOPE.
Dr Michael Crotty is a SCOPE certified GP who specialises in Bariatric Medicine. X: @DrMCrotty; LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/DrMichaelCrotty.
It is shared with permission from the original content developers for use within the PROMINENCE OER. For more information, please visit easo.org.
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Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS) – Staging Tool:
Edmonton Obesity Staging System Graphic
​This infographic, developed by Sharma and Kushner (2009) provides a practical overview of the EOSS,
a clinical tool used to assess the severity of obesity beyond BMI alone. It guides users through
the staging process based on metabolic, physical, and psychological parameters, offering a more nuanced understanding of health risks and informing tailored intervention strategies for adults with obesity.
These resources are designed to reinforce the approaches to obesity diagnosis and staging covered
in the presentation and can be used as quick-reference tools during clinical placements or case-based learning activities.
Edmonton Obesity Staging System Graphic
Developer: Sharma A. M., Kushner R. F. A proposed clinical staging system for obesity. International Journal of Obesity. 2009;33(3):289–295. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2009.2