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What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a ratio of your weight to height. It estimates the total body fat and assesses the risks for diseases related to increased body fat. The risk of developing many diseases increases with a higher BMI. You can use this calculator to find out your BMI.

BMI for Asian and Asian American Adults

Asians and Asian Americans may have increased health risks at a lower BMI. Therefore, the outcomes of this BMI Calculator was designed specifically for Asian and Asian American Adults. BMI cutoff points on this chart are lower than those defined by National Institutes of Health (NIH).
*BMI may not apply to athletes who tend to have large muscle mass, elderly people, pregnant women and children

What is your BMI?

Your Height

Your Weight

 
Your BMI value
 
What does my BMI mean?
BMI Cutoff for Asians and Asian Americans NIH BMI Cutoff Comments
<18.5 <18.5 Your weight is below healthy range. This can put you at risk for developing many health problems. Talk to your healthcare provider about your ideal body weight.
18.5 - 22.9 18.5 - 24.9 Your weight is within healthy range. Continue exercising and eating healthfully.
23 - 26.9 25 - 29.9 Your weight is above healthy range. Your risk for developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases are higher. Talk to your healthcare provider about your ideal body weight and how to make healthy lifestyle changes.
≥27 ≥30 Your weight is further above healthy range. It increases the risk for developing many chronic diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and decreases overall quality of life. Talk to your healthcare provider about your ideal body weight and how to make healthy lifestyle changes.
PDF version of Asian American BMI chart is available here
Hsu WC et al. BMI cut points to identify at-risk Asian Americans for type 2 diabetes screening. Diabetes Care. 2015 Jan;38(1):150-8.
Wildman RP et al. Appropriate body mass index and waist circumference cutoffs for categorization of overweight and central adiposity among Chinese adults. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2004; 80:1129.
Appropriate body-mass index for Asian populations and its implications for policy and intervention strategies. Lancet 2004; 363:157-63.
*Testing for diabetes should be considered for all Asian American adults who present with a BMI of ≥ 23 kg/m².
 
AT RISK WEIGHT CHARTS
For Asian Americans
(At Risk if BMI equals or more than 24) 		For Pacific Islanders
(At Risk if BMI equals or more than 26) 		If You are not Asian American or Pacific Islanders
(At Risk if BMI equals or more than 25)
Height Weight Height Weight Height Weight
4'10" 115 4'10" 124 4'10" 119
4'11" 119 4'11" 128 4'11" 124
5'0" 123 5'0" 133 5'0" 128
5'1" 127 5'1" 137 5'1" 132
5'2" 131 5'2" 142 5'2" 136
5'3" 135 5'3" 146 5'3" 141
5'4" 140 5'4" 151 5'4" 145
5'5" 144 5'5" 156 5'5" 150
5'6" 148 5'6" 161 5'6" 155
5'7" 153 5'7" 166 5'7" 159
5'8" 158 5'8" 171 5'8" 164
5'9" 162 5'9" 176 5'9" 169
5'10" 167 5'10" 181 5'10" 174
5'11" 172 5'11" 186 5'11" 179
6'0" 177 6'0" 191 6'0" 184
6'1" 182 6'1" 197 6'1" 189
6'2" 186 6'2" 202 6'2" 194
6'3" 192 6'3" 208 6'3" 200
6'4" 197 6'4" 213 6'4" 205

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