🇫🇯 Fiji 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Fiji
Body Mass Index · Asia-Pacific Standard · Fiji Health Statistics
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WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Fiji, 30.2% of adults are obese and 60.5% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Fiji 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 and Medical Services Fiji publishes these statistics nationally. Fiji has one of the highest obesity rates in the Pacific Islands. Indo-Fijians and indigenous Fijians have distinct cardiometabolic risk profiles at different BMI levels.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Fiji & 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 Fiji? ▾
30.2% of adults in Fiji are classified as obese and 60.5% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Fiji has one of the highest obesity rates in the Pacific Islands. Indo-Fijians and indigenous Fijians have distinct cardiometabolic risk profiles at different BMI levels. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services Fiji monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Fiji use? ▾
Fiji 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 and Medical Services Fiji 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 Fiji? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Fiji 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 and Medical Services Fiji recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.