BMI for Indians: the Asian-Indian cutoffs
For Indian adults, a healthy BMI is 18.0 to 22.9. Overweight starts at 23 and obesity at 25, lower than the WHO's 25 and 30, because Indians carry more risk (diabetes, heart disease) at the same BMI. Example: 70 kg at 170 cm is BMI 24.2: "Normal" by WHO, but "Overweight" by the Indian cutoffs.
BMI categories: Indian vs WHO
| Category | Asian-Indian cutoff | WHO cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | below 18.0 | below 18.5 |
| Normal | 18.0-22.9 | 18.5-24.9 |
| Overweight | 23.0-24.9 | 25.0-29.9 |
| Obese | 25 and above | 30 and above |
Healthy weight by height (Indian vs WHO range)
| Height | cm | Healthy weight, Indian cutoffs | Healthy weight, WHO |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4'10" | 147.3 | 39.1-49.7 kg | 40.2-54 kg |
| 4'11" | 149.9 | 40.4-51.4 kg | 41.5-55.9 kg |
| 5'0" | 152.4 | 41.8-53.2 kg | 43-57.8 kg |
| 5'1" | 154.9 | 43.2-55 kg | 44.4-59.8 kg |
| 5'2" | 157.5 | 44.6-56.8 kg | 45.9-61.8 kg |
| 5'3" | 160 | 46.1-58.6 kg | 47.4-63.8 kg |
| 5'4" | 162.6 | 47.6-60.5 kg | 48.9-65.8 kg |
| 5'5" | 165.1 | 49.1-62.4 kg | 50.4-67.9 kg |
| 5'6" | 167.6 | 50.6-64.4 kg | 52-70 kg |
| 5'7" | 170.2 | 52.1-66.3 kg | 53.6-72.1 kg |
| 5'8" | 172.7 | 53.7-68.3 kg | 55.2-74.3 kg |
| 5'9" | 175.3 | 55.3-70.3 kg | 56.8-76.5 kg |
| 5'10" | 177.8 | 56.9-72.4 kg | 58.5-78.7 kg |
| 5'11" | 180.3 | 58.5-74.5 kg | 60.2-81 kg |
| 6'0" | 182.9 | 60.2-76.6 kg | 61.9-83.3 kg |
| 6'1" | 185.4 | 61.9-78.7 kg | 63.6-85.6 kg |
| 6'2" | 188 | 63.6-80.9 kg | 65.4-88 kg |
| 6'3" | 190.5 | 65.3-83.1 kg | 67.1-90.4 kg |
| 6'4" | 193 | 67.1-85.3 kg | 68.9-92.8 kg |
Find your height: 4'10" · 4'11" · 5'0" · 5'1" · 5'2" · 5'3" · 5'4" · 5'5" · 5'6" · 5'7" · 5'8" · 5'9" · 5'10" · 5'11" · 6'0" · 6'1" · 6'2" · 6'3" · 6'4"
Method and sources
BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)². Asian-Indian cutoffs: Misra A et al., Consensus statement for Asian Indians, JAPI 2009;57:163-170 (normal 18.0-22.9, overweight 23.0-24.9, obese 25+), in line with the WHO Expert Consultation, Lancet 2004;363:157-163. International cutoffs: WHO (normal 18.5-24.9, overweight 25-29.9, obese 30+). Ranges below are the weights that give those BMIs at each height.
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Common questions
What is a healthy BMI for Indian men?
For Indian men and women the healthy BMI range is 18.0 to 22.9 under the Asian-Indian consensus cutoffs. A BMI of 23 to 24.9 counts as overweight and 25 or more as obese.
Why is the BMI cutoff lower for Indians?
Studies show South Asians develop type 2 diabetes and heart disease at lower BMIs than Europeans, so the WHO Expert Consultation (2004) and the Indian consensus (2009) set action points at 23 and 25 instead of 25 and 30.
Is BMI 24 normal for an Indian?
No. BMI 24 is normal by WHO cutoffs but overweight by the Asian-Indian cutoffs (23 to 24.9).