🇬🇭 Ghana 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Ghana
Body Mass Index · WHO Standard · Ghana Health Statistics
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WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Ghana, 10.9% of adults are obese and 35.2% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Ghana uses the WHO BMI standard. The Ghana Health Service publishes these statistics nationally. Ghana has one of the higher obesity rates in West Africa. Women in Ghana are significantly more likely to be obese (15.5%) than men (6.2%). Urban Accra and Kumasi have rates nearly double the national average.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Ghana & 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 Ghana? ▾
10.9% of adults in Ghana are classified as obese and 35.2% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Ghana has one of the higher obesity rates in West Africa. Women in Ghana are significantly more likely to be obese (15.5%) than men (6.2%). Urban Accra and Kumasi have rates nearly double the national average. The Ghana Health Service monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Ghana use? ▾
Ghana follows the WHO standard (normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30). The Ghana Health Service 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 Ghana? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Ghana 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 Ghana Health Service recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.