If your BMI is 24, a standard chart says you are in the normal range. Yet a doctor in Lahore or Karachi might say you are already overweight. Both are using real guidelines. The difference is that many experts recommend lower BMI cut-offs for South Asians. This article explains why, and how to read your result from our BMI Calculator.
The standard WHO chart
The World Health Organization’s general categories are: underweight below 18.5, normal 18.5 to 24.9, overweight 25 to 29.9 and obese 30 and above. These were developed largely from data on European populations.
Why Asians are different
Studies across Asia have found that, at the same BMI, many Asian people have:
- A higher percentage of body fat
- More fat around the abdomen
- A higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease
Because the health risk starts earlier, a WHO expert consultation suggested additional “public health action points” for Asian populations, and many countries adopted lower cut-offs.
A commonly used Asian BMI chart
| BMI | Category |
|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 to 22.9 | Normal |
| 23 to 24.9 | Overweight (at risk) |
| 25 to 29.9 | Obese class I (some charts start obesity at 27.5) |
| 30 and above | Obese class II |
Different organisations use slightly different numbers, so your doctor may quote a version that varies by a point.
Example
Height 165 cm, weight 66 kg. BMI = 66 ÷ (1.65 × 1.65) = 24.2. On the WHO chart this is normal; on the Asian chart it is overweight. The healthy weight for this height at a BMI of 22.9 is about 62 kg.
What to do with this information
- Use the Asian cut-offs as an early warning, not a label.
- Measure your waist; see waist-to-height ratio.
- Check blood pressure and blood sugar regularly if you are in the at-risk range.
- Focus on habits: walking, sleep and fewer sugary drinks.
Tracking progress
Small, steady changes are more sustainable than crash diets. Weigh yourself at the same time of day, once a week, and note the date. Losing even 5% of body weight can improve health markers. To convert weights between kilograms and pounds, use KG to LBS Converter or LBS to KG Converter.
Keep reading
New to the maths behind BMI? Our guide on how to calculate BMI explains the formula in kilograms and pounds. To keep an eye on weekly changes, note your weight with the date and use the Days Since Calculator calculator to see how long a new routine has lasted.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal BMI for Pakistanis?
Many doctors use 18.5 to 22.9 as normal for South Asians.
Why is the Asian BMI cut-off lower?
Because health risks such as diabetes appear at lower BMI levels in many Asian populations.
Is a BMI of 24 overweight for Asians?
On commonly used Asian charts, yes, it falls in the overweight or at-risk range.