🇦🇱 Albania 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Albania
Body Mass Index · WHO Standard · Albania Health Statistics
QUICK ANSWER
WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Albania, 21.7% of adults are obese and 55% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Albania uses the WHO BMI standard. The Instituti i Shëndetit Publik (ISHP) publishes these statistics nationally. Albania's obesity rate has doubled since 2000, driven by rapid urbanisation and adoption of Western dietary patterns in Tirana and Durrës.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Albania & International
| Category / Normal | 🌍 WHO | 🌏 Asia-Pacific | 🇯🇵 Japan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Underweight | < 18.5 | < 18.5 | < 18.5 |
| Normal weight | 18.5 – 24.9 | 18.5 – 22.9 | 18.5 – 24.9 |
| Overweight | 25 – 29.9 | 23 – 27.4 | ≥ 25 (Obese) |
| Obese | ≥ 30 | ≥ 27.5 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the obesity rate in Albania? ▾
21.7% of adults in Albania are classified as obese and 55% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Albania's obesity rate has doubled since 2000, driven by rapid urbanisation and adoption of Western dietary patterns in Tirana and Durrës. The Instituti i Shëndetit Publik (ISHP) monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Albania use? ▾
Albania follows the WHO standard (normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30). The Instituti i Shëndetit Publik (ISHP) applies these thresholds in national clinical guidelines and public health campaigns. Unlike parts of Asia which use lower cut-offs, the standard WHO thresholds reflect the original research on European and North American populations.
Is BMI an accurate measure for people in Albania? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Albania but it has well-known limitations: it does not distinguish between muscle and fat, and cannot capture fat distribution — abdominal (visceral) fat carries higher cardiovascular risk than fat stored in limbs. The Instituti i Shëndetit Publik (ISHP) recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.