A proposed clinical staging system for obesity
Abstract
Current classifications of obesity based on body mass index, waist circumference and other anthropometric measures, although useful for population studies, have important limitations when applied to individuals in clinical practice. Thus, these measures do not provide information on presence or extent of comorbidities or functional limitations that would guide decision making in individuals. In this paper we review historical and current classification systems for obesity and propose a new simple clinical and functional staging system that allows clinicians to describe the morbidity and functional limitations associated with excess weight. It is anticipated that this system, when used together with the present anthropometric classification, will provide a simple framework to aid decision making in clinical practice.
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Scoring and staging systems and treatment algorithms for obesity are based on the presence of other diseases (often referred to as comorbidities), rather than clinical manifestations of obesity itself.
“Typically, scoring and staging systems and treatment algorithms for obesity are based on the presence of other diseases (often referred to as comorbidities), rather than clinical manifestations of obesity itself.”
From Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity (2025) · cites this paper as [16]
Scoring and staging systems of obesity, and policies for coverage of treatments, estimate the clinical effect of obesity on the basis of the presence of other diseases, often referred to as comorbidities.
“Consistently, scoring and staging systems of obesity, and policies for coverage of treatments, estimate the clinical effect of obesity on the basis of the presence of other diseases, often referred to as comorbidities.16–18”
From Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity (2025) · cites this paper as [16]
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References 53 · Cited by 687
- Authors
- Sharma, A. M., & Kushner, R. F.
- Affiliations
- University of Alberta (CA)
- Northwestern University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Sharma, A M
- Venue
- International Journal of Obesity
- Published
- 2009-02-03
- Volume
- 33
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 289-295
- ISSN
- 0307-0565 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-5497
- OpenAlex
- W2118184243
- Cited by
- 687
- References
- 53
- Citations by year
- 2026: 61 · 2025: 72 · 2024: 55 · 2023: 57 · 2022: 44 · 2021: 55 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 44 · 2017: 40 · 2016: 30 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 36 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 18
- FWCI
- 2.52
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- International Journal of Obesity (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Alberta Health Services
- University of Alberta
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Obesity and Health Practices
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Body Composition Measurement Techniques
- Keywords
- obesity, clinical staging system, obesity classification, body mass index, waist circumference, anthropometric measures, comorbidities, functional limitations, clinical decision-making
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Anthropometry, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Terminology as Topic, Obesity, Reference Standards, Body Mass Index, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Risk Assessment
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