🇪🇨 Ecuador 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Ecuador
Body Mass Index · WHO Standard · Ecuador Health Statistics
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WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Ecuador, 22.2% of adults are obese and 58% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Ecuador uses the WHO BMI standard. The Ministerio de Salud Pública del Ecuador (MSP) publishes these statistics nationally. Ecuador's "Encuesta ENSANUT" shows obesity concentrated in urban areas of the coast, particularly Guayas province. Highland indigenous communities have markedly lower rates.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Ecuador & 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 Ecuador? ▾
22.2% of adults in Ecuador are classified as obese and 58% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Ecuador's "Encuesta ENSANUT" shows obesity concentrated in urban areas of the coast, particularly Guayas province. Highland indigenous communities have markedly lower rates. The Ministerio de Salud Pública del Ecuador (MSP) monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Ecuador use? ▾
Ecuador follows the WHO standard (normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30). The Ministerio de Salud Pública del Ecuador (MSP) 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 Ecuador? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Ecuador 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 del Ecuador (MSP) recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.