This section explains the four-stage CKM staging system introduced in the 2026 guideline, showing how patients progress from no risk factors to overt cardiovascular disease. It highlights the clinical purpose of staging in youths and adults: early prevention, risk-based therapy, and possible regression through lifestyle change and weight loss. The framework offers a practical way to guide treatment intensity, allocate multidisciplinary care, and track outcomes across the cardiometabolic continuum.