BMI Chart for Indians: Healthy Weight Range by Height and Why Asian Cut-offs Differ

Body Mass Index is a quick way to check whether your weight is in a healthy range for your height. For people of South Asian origin, doctors increasingly use lower cut-offs than the standard international ones, because health risks such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease begin at lower BMI in Indians. This guide gives the categories, a height-wise chart and the caveats you should keep in mind.

How BMI is calculated

BMI = weight in kilograms ÷ (height in metres)². A person who weighs 70 kg and is 1.70 m tall has a BMI of 70 ÷ 2.89 = 24.2. Use the BMI calculator for any height and weight, including pounds and feet.

BMI categories: international vs Asian

The lower Asian cut-offs follow a WHO expert consultation and Indian consensus guidelines. They reflect the fact that, at the same BMI, Indians tend to carry more body fat, particularly around the abdomen, and so face more metabolic risk. Some Indian bodies recommend 23 as the point of overweight and 25 as obesity, which is what most Indian doctors use now.

Healthy weight by height (Asian normal range)

The ranges are approximate and rounded to the nearest kilogram. Use your exact height in the calculator for more precision.

Waist size matters as much as BMI

Fat stored around the belly is more closely linked to diabetes and heart disease than fat elsewhere. For Asian adults, a waist circumference above about 90 cm for men and 80 cm for women suggests central obesity, even with a normal BMI. Measure at the level of the navel after breathing out, without pulling the tape tight. The waist-hip ratio calculator adds a second check.

Limits of BMI

• It ignores body composition. A muscular athlete may be "overweight" at a healthy fat level, and an inactive person with little muscle can have a normal BMI but too much fat.
• It ignores fat distribution, which is why waist size is added.
• Age and sex matter: older adults may do better at a slightly higher BMI, and the standard adult chart does not apply to children and teenagers, who use age-specific growth charts.
• Pregnancy and some conditions make BMI unsuitable.

What to do with your result

Practical steps that work

1. Aim for gradual change, about 0.25 to 0.5 kg a week, rather than crash diets.
2. Fill half your plate with vegetables, include protein at each meal, and watch refined carbohydrates and sugary drinks.
3. Move for at least 150 minutes a week, plus strength training twice a week.
4. Sleep seven to eight hours, since poor sleep is linked to weight gain.
5. Estimate your daily needs with the calorie calculator and track progress by waist and how you feel, not weight alone.

BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. This information is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or dietitian, especially if you have a medical condition, are pregnant or have a history of disordered eating.

Frequently asked questions

What is a normal BMI for Indians?

18.5 to 22.9 under the Asian cut-offs. 23 to 24.9 is overweight and 25 or more is obese.

Why are Indian BMI cut-offs lower?

Indians tend to have more body fat and metabolic risk at the same BMI than Europeans.

How do I calculate BMI?

Divide your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in metres.

Is BMI accurate for athletes?

Not always. Muscle weighs more than fat, so BMI can overstate fat in muscular people.

What waist size is risky for Indians?

Above about 90 cm for men and 80 cm for women suggests central obesity.

Can I use this BMI chart for children?

No. Children and teenagers use age-specific growth charts.

Last reviewed 8 November 2026. Rates, limits and rules change, so confirm figures with the official source before you act.