South Asian BMI Cutoffs
What it actually is
WHO Asia-Pacific guidelines recognise that South Asian bodies develop metabolic disease at lower BMIs due to higher visceral fat at the same weight. Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi, and Sri Lankan adults should use these cutoffs for risk assessment.
Why it matters for Pakistanis
Many Pakistanis are 'BMI normal' by Western standards but actually overweight by Asian standards. Shock fact: a 165 cm woman at 65 kg has BMI 23.9 — overweight as a South Asian, healthy in the West.
Related terms
BMI
BMI is weight (kg) divided by height (m) squared — a rough population-level health screen.
Body Composition
Body composition is the breakdown of your body into fat mass, lean mass (muscle, bone, organs), and water.
Visceral Fat
Visceral fat is fat stored around your internal organs (liver, intestines, pancreas) — the most dangerous kind.
Reviewed by Ghizayat's registered dietitian team. Not a substitute for medical advice.