🇨🇺 Cuba 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Cuba
Body Mass Index · WHO Standard · Cuba Health Statistics
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WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Cuba, 24.6% of adults are obese and 58.1% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Cuba uses the WHO BMI standard. The Ministerio de Salud Pública de Cuba (MINSAP) publishes these statistics nationally. Cuba has a universal healthcare system that actively monitors BMI at primary care level. Obesity rates rose sharply after the 1990s "Special Period" dietary changes.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Cuba & 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 Cuba? ▾
24.6% of adults in Cuba are classified as obese and 58.1% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Cuba has a universal healthcare system that actively monitors BMI at primary care level. Obesity rates rose sharply after the 1990s "Special Period" dietary changes. The Ministerio de Salud Pública de Cuba (MINSAP) monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Cuba use? ▾
Cuba follows the WHO standard (normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30). The Ministerio de Salud Pública de Cuba (MINSAP) 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 Cuba? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Cuba 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 Ministerio de Salud Pública de Cuba (MINSAP) recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.