BMI for Asian adults: how to read your number
The BMI formula, the Asian cut-offs, and why your waist matters as much as your weight.
BMI (body mass index) = weight in kg divided by height in metres squared. Example: 56kg at 1.58m gives 56 ÷ (1.58 × 1.58) ≈ 22.4.
Cut-offs for Asian adults
Asian adults face higher diabetes and heart risk at lower BMIs than Europeans, so different cut-offs are used:
- Below 18.5: underweight.
- 18.5 to under 23: healthy.
- 23 to under 25: overweight.
- 25 to under 30: obese class I.
- 30 and above: obese class II.
Measure your waist too
BMI cannot tell muscle from fat. Your waist shows belly fat: over 90cm for men or 80cm for women is worth reducing. Measure at the navel after a normal breath out.
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Questions
What is a healthy BMI for Asian adults?
18.5 to under 23, using the cut-offs for Asian populations.
What waist size means too much belly fat?
Over 90cm for men or 80cm for women is a sign to reduce belly fat.