🇨🇩 DR Congo 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — DR Congo
Body Mass Index · WHO Standard · DR Congo Health Statistics
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WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In DR Congo, 6.7% of adults are obese and 23% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). DR Congo uses the WHO BMI standard. The Ministère de la Santé Publique RDC publishes these statistics nationally. DR Congo has low obesity rates but is seeing rapid increases in Kinshasa driven by urbanisation, dietary change, and reduced physical activity in the city.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — DR Congo & 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 DR Congo? ▾
6.7% of adults in DR Congo are classified as obese and 23% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. DR Congo has low obesity rates but is seeing rapid increases in Kinshasa driven by urbanisation, dietary change, and reduced physical activity in the city. The Ministère de la Santé Publique RDC monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does DR Congo use? ▾
DR Congo follows the WHO standard (normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30). The Ministère de la Santé Publique RDC 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 DR Congo? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in DR Congo 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 Ministère de la Santé Publique RDC recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.