🇨🇦 Canada 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Canada
Body Mass Index · WHO Standard · Canadian Health Statistics
QUICK ANSWER
WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Canada, 29.4% of adults are obese and 61.8% are overweight or obese (Canadian Community Health Survey 2022). Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) use WHO thresholds: normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30. For Canadians of Asian descent, Health Canada acknowledges that health risks begin at lower BMI values. Canada's obesity rate has more than doubled since 1985.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Canada & 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 Canada? ▾
29.4% of Canadian adults are obese and 61.8% are overweight or obese per the Canadian Community Health Survey 2022. Canada's obesity rate has more than doubled since 1985 (13.8%). Rates are highest in Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia: 31.7%) and lowest in British Columbia (23.3%). Indigenous peoples in Canada have obesity rates significantly above the national average.
What BMI standard does Health Canada use? ▾
Health Canada uses WHO BMI thresholds: underweight <18.5, normal weight 18.5–24.9, overweight 25.0–29.9, obese class I: 30–34.9, class II: 35–39.9, class III: ≥40. For Canadians of Asian descent, Health Canada notes that health risks may begin at BMI 23 (overweight) and 27.5 (obese) — consistent with Asia-Pacific guidelines.
How does Canadian BMI differ between provinces? ▾
Obesity rates vary significantly: British Columbia has the lowest rate (23.3%) while Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest (36.0%). Urban centres have lower obesity rates than rural and remote communities. The Public Health Agency of Canada publishes annual provincial obesity data in the Tackling Obesity in Canada report series.