🇭🇰 Hong Kong 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Hong Kong
Body Mass Index · Asia-Pacific Standard · Hong Kong Health Statistics
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WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Hong Kong, 21.4% of adults are obese and 54.2% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Hong Kong 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 Department of Health Hong Kong publishes these statistics nationally. Hong Kong follows the Asia-Pacific BMI standard endorsed by the Hong Kong Department of Health and the Hospital Authority. Research from the Chinese University of Hong Kong confirms Asian-specific metabolic risks at lower BMI values.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Hong Kong & 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 Hong Kong? ▾
21.4% of adults in Hong Kong are classified as obese and 54.2% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Hong Kong follows the Asia-Pacific BMI standard endorsed by the Hong Kong Department of Health and the Hospital Authority. Research from the Chinese University of Hong Kong confirms Asian-specific metabolic risks at lower BMI values. The Department of Health Hong Kong monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Hong Kong use? ▾
Hong Kong follows the Asia-Pacific standard (overweight ≥23, obese ≥27.5) — lower thresholds due to higher metabolic risk at lower BMI in Asian populations. The Department of Health Hong Kong 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 Hong Kong? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Hong Kong 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 Department of Health Hong Kong recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.