Providing a common language for obesity: the European Association for the Study of Obesity obesity taxonomy
Authors' conclusion
The taxonomy provides a contemporary evidence-based language about obesity that aligns with language used for policy-prioritised NCDs. The taxonomy is useful for education, advocacy, and communication and can be used by policymakers, healthcare professionals, people living with obesity, researchers, and health system users.
Study context
- Population
- Expert panel of policymakers, healthcare professionals, people with lived experience and researchers; 54 statements (definition, scope, contextual usage) across six obesity themes, based on obesity as an adiposity-based chronic disease194 experts invited
- Outcome
- Consensus on proposed definitions, scope and contextual usage of obesity taxonomy
Methodological detailsonline, three rounds, multi-stakeholder expert panel, Experts participating: 70 (36%) in round one, 63 (33%) in round two, 58 (30%) in round three
- Online
- Three rounds
- Multi-stakeholder expert panel
- Experts participating: 70 (36%) in round one, 63 (33%) in round two, 58 (30%) in round three
Recommendations
As reported in the abstract
Consensus on proposed definitions, scope and contextual usage
Consensus after round one
70%
Consensus after round two
94%
Consensus after round three
100%
Further findings
Content of taxonomy themes
- Definition of Obesity: distinguished population-level indicators from individual-level signs of obesity, and defined pre-obesity
- Causes, Onset and Progression: characterised timing of obesity development
- Obesity Prevention: differentiated health promotion from primary prevention
- Screening and Early Diagnosis, and Treatment and Management: defined concepts supporting a continuum of care model
- Consequences of Obesity: encompassed health and socio-economic outcomes
Original publication
Providing a common language for obesity: the European Association for the Study of Obesity obesity taxonomy. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 20 June 2024. doi:10.
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