Calculate your BMI and read it against both the WHO bands and the lower Asian Indian cut-offs, where overweight starts at 23 and obesity at 25.
Why does India use different BMI cut-offs?
At the same BMI, Indians carry more body fat and far more fat around the abdomen than Europeans do. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease show up at lower BMI numbers. A WHO expert consultation in 2004 recommended lower action points for Asian populations, and the 2009 Indian consensus statement set overweight at 23 and obesity at 25.
Which reading should I trust?
If you are of Indian origin, use the Indian one. It is what ICMR guidance and Indian doctors use. The WHO reading is shown so you can compare with international charts and other calculators, which almost all use the higher thresholds.
Is BMI accurate for everyone?
No. BMI cannot separate muscle from fat, so athletes often read as overweight while carrying very little fat. It is also unreliable for children, pregnant women, and adults over 65. Treat it as a screening number, not a diagnosis.
What about waist size?
For Indians it may matter more than BMI. The consensus statement sets abdominal obesity at a waist above 90 cm for men and above 80 cm for women. You can be within a normal BMI and still carry dangerous abdominal fat, a pattern often called thin outside, fat inside.
What is a healthy BMI for an Indian adult?
Between 18.5 and 22.9. Below 18.5 is underweight, 23.0 to 24.9 is overweight, and 25.0 or above is obese. This calculator also converts those bands into a healthy weight range in kilograms for your exact height.
How fast should I lose weight if my BMI is high?
About half a kilogram a week is a sensible pace, and 5% to 10% of your body weight is enough to improve blood sugar and blood pressure meaningfully. Speak to a doctor before starting anything drastic, especially if you already take medication.