Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS)
The Edmonton Obesity Staging System, or EOSS, is a way for doctors to grade obesity based on how it affects your health and daily life, rather than just your BMI.
Plain English
Patient-Friendly Explanation
The Edmonton Obesity Staging System, or EOSS, is a way for doctors to grade obesity based on how it affects your health and daily life, rather than just your BMI. It has stages from 0 to 4, from no health problems up to severe, life-threatening complications. This helps doctors choose the right level of treatment for each person.
Medical
Clinical Definition
The Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS) classifies obesity into five stages (0-4) according to the presence and severity of medical, functional, and psychological comorbidities, complementing BMI-based classification. Stage 0 indicates no obesity-related risk; stages 1-2 reflect mild-to-moderate comorbidity appropriate for behavioural and medical management; and stages 3-4 indicate significant end-organ or functional impairment where bariatric surgery is often considered. EOSS predicts mortality and treatment response more accurately than BMI alone.
Key Insight
Why It Matters
Instead of relying on BMI alone, Accord Medical Clinic uses staging tools such as EOSS to match each patient’s treatment intensity, from lifestyle coaching to medical therapy or surgery, to their actual health risk.
Sources
Reviewed against standard medical references.
Medically reviewed by
Family Physician & Registered Acupuncturist, Accord Medical Clinic. MBBS (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of TCM).
Last reviewed: August 2026
This page is general health education, not medical advice. Whether any treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made in consultation after assessment.