BMI
Also known as: Body Mass Index
What it actually is
Standard cutoffs: underweight <18.5, normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese 30+. BUT for South Asians, the WHO recommends lower cutoffs: overweight starts at 23, obese at 27.5 — because South Asian bodies develop metabolic disease at lower BMIs.
Why it matters for Pakistanis
Don't use Western BMI charts — use the South Asian cutoffs. A Pakistani at BMI 24 is already at health risk. Body composition matters more than BMI alone — see DEXA or InBody scan.
Related terms
Reviewed by Ghizayat's registered dietitian team. Not a substitute for medical advice.