🇧🇹 Bhutan 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Bhutan
Body Mass Index · Asia-Pacific Standard · Bhutan Health Statistics
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WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Bhutan, 6.4% of adults are obese and 26.7% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Bhutan uses the Asia-Pacific BMI standard — overweight starts at BMI 23 (lower than WHO's 25) due to higher cardiometabolic risk at lower BMI in Asian populations. The Ministry of Health Bhutan publishes these statistics nationally. Bhutan's Gross National Happiness development philosophy includes health tracking. The Ministry of Health uses Asia-Pacific BMI thresholds consistent with regional South Asian standards. Traditional Bhutanese diet (ema datshi, red rice) is associated with lower obesity rates than neighbouring India.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Bhutan & 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 Bhutan? ▾
6.4% of adults in Bhutan are classified as obese and 26.7% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Bhutan's Gross National Happiness development philosophy includes health tracking. The Ministry of Health uses Asia-Pacific BMI thresholds consistent with regional South Asian standards. Traditional Bhutanese diet (ema datshi, red rice) is associated with lower obesity rates than neighbouring India. The Ministry of Health Bhutan monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Bhutan use? ▾
Bhutan follows the Asia-Pacific standard (overweight ≥23, obese ≥27.5) — lower thresholds due to higher metabolic risk at lower BMI in Asian populations. The Ministry of Health Bhutan applies these thresholds in national clinical guidelines and public health campaigns. Research confirms that people of Asian descent face higher risk of type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease at lower BMI values than European populations, which led WHO to recommend these lower cut-offs for the Asia-Pacific region.
Is BMI an accurate measure for people in Bhutan? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Bhutan 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 Ministry of Health Bhutan recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.