Abstract

With the increasing prevalence of obesity, a triage system is needed to prioritize access to obesity care services, as well as support efficient choice of education and counselling strategies. The sapiopsychosocial triage (SPST) system, based upon cognitive, psychological and social assessment of the person living with obesity, helps determine the style and strategy of obesity management. It can be used as a complement to the Edmonton Obesity Staging System. The SPST ensures person -centred delivery of chronic weight management, keeping the biopsychosocial triad of health in mind. It facilitates understanding of the myriad determinant causes and contributors, and dynamic confounders of weight gain. Thus, it serves as a learning and teaching tool for all health care professionals.