Calculate your Body Mass Index using Indian health standards
| Category | BMI Range | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | < 18.5 | Malnutrition risk |
| Normal | 18.5 - 22.9 | Low risk |
| Overweight | 23 - 24.9 | Moderate risk |
| Obese | ≥ 25 | High risk |
For Indians, healthy BMI is 18.5-22.9. Indians have higher body fat at lower BMIs compared to Western populations, so the WHO Asia-Pacific guidelines use stricter cutoffs: overweight starts at 23 (not 25).
BMI = Weight (kg) / Height (m)². For example, a person weighing 70 kg and 1.75 m tall has BMI = 70 / (1.75 × 1.75) = 22.86.
No, BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass. Athletes or muscular individuals may show 'overweight' BMI despite being healthy. Waist-to-hip ratio or body fat percentage are better indicators for them.
For Indians, BMI above 23 increases risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. Indians are genetically predisposed to these conditions at lower BMI thresholds.
Reduce BMI through a combination of balanced diet (caloric deficit of 500-750 kcal/day), regular exercise (150+ minutes/week of moderate activity), adequate sleep, and stress management. Aim for 0.5-1 kg weight loss per week.