Calculate your Body Mass Index and find your healthy weight range
| Category | BMI Range | Health Risk | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Severely Underweight | < 16.0 | Very High | Urgent medical attention |
| Underweight | 16.0 – 18.4 | High | Consult a nutritionist |
| Normal Weight | 18.5 – 24.9 | Low | Maintain current lifestyle |
| Overweight | 25.0 – 29.9 | Moderate | Diet & exercise adjustments |
| Obese Class I | 30.0 – 34.9 | High | Medical consultation advised |
| Obese Class II | 35.0 – 39.9 | Very High | Medical intervention required |
| Obese Class III | ≥ 40.0 | Extremely High | Urgent medical intervention |
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value calculated from your height and weight that provides a broad indication of whether you fall within a healthy weight range. It was developed by Belgian mathematician Adolphe Quetelet in the 19th century and is now widely used by healthcare professionals worldwide as a quick screening tool.
For example, if you weigh 70 kg and are 170 cm (1.70 m) tall: BMI = 70 ÷ (1.70 × 1.70) = 70 ÷ 2.89 = 24.2 (Normal weight)
The standard WHO BMI cutoffs were developed based on Caucasian populations. Research has shown that South Asians — including Indians — tend to carry more body fat at lower BMI values and have higher risks of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease at lower BMI thresholds. Many Indian health experts and the WHO Asia-Pacific guidelines recommend lower cutoffs: Overweight at BMI ≥ 23, Obese at BMI ≥ 27.5 for South Asians.
BMI is a useful screening tool but has important limitations. It does not distinguish between fat mass and muscle mass — a muscular athlete may have a high BMI but low body fat. It doesn't account for fat distribution (visceral vs. subcutaneous fat), age-related muscle loss, or differences between sexes. Complementary measures like waist circumference (healthy: men < 90 cm, women < 80 cm for Indians), body fat percentage, and waist-to-hip ratio provide a fuller picture of health.
A sustainable approach includes a calorie-appropriate diet rich in whole foods, vegetables, and lean proteins, combined with at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week (as recommended by the WHO). Rapid weight loss diets that promise more than 0.5–1 kg per week are generally unsustainable and can be harmful.