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Asian BMI Calculator (WHO Asian / ICMR cutoffs)
Check your BMI against the lower Asian/ICMR cutoffs, not just the standard WHO ones. For Asian populations the thresholds are lower because more body fat and higher metabolic risk — type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease — appear at a lower BMI: normal is 18.5–23, overweight is 23–25, and obese is 25 or more, versus the WHO lines of 25 and 30. That gap matters at the margins: a BMI of 24 reads "normal" by WHO but "overweight" by Asian/ICMR. This tool computes BMI = weight_kg ÷ height_m² (pounds and inches convert automatically) and shows both classifications side by side, plus your healthy weight range in kilograms for your height. Remember BMI is a screening ratio, not a diagnosis — it ignores muscle and fat distribution, so pair it with a body-fat or waist measurement for a fuller picture.
Asian/ICMR cutoffs: normal 18.5–23 · overweight 23–25 · obese ≥ 25 (lower than WHO 25 / 30)
- BMI 24 → Normal by WHO, Overweight by Asian/ICMR
- BMI = weight_kg ÷ height_m² — a screening ratio, not a diagnosis
Frequently asked questions
What are the Asian BMI cutoffs?
For Asian/ICMR classification the cutoffs are: underweight below 18.5, normal 18.5–23, overweight 23–25, and obese 25 or more. They are lower than the WHO cutoffs (overweight 25, obese 30) because Asian populations tend to carry more body fat and higher metabolic risk at a lower BMI.
Why are Asian BMI thresholds lower than WHO?
Research (including the WHO Expert Consultation, Lancet 2004) found that Asian populations develop obesity-related conditions such as type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease at lower BMI values than European populations. The ICMR and WHO therefore recommend lower action thresholds — overweight at 23 and obese at 25 — so risk is flagged earlier.