🇰🇪 Kenya 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Kenya
Body Mass Index · WHO Standard · Kenya Health Statistics
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WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Kenya, 7.1% of adults are obese and 27% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Kenya uses the WHO BMI standard. The Ministry of Health Kenya publishes these statistics nationally. Kenya's obesity rate is rising rapidly in urban Nairobi and Mombasa, while rural areas maintain lower rates. Women in urban Kenya have obesity rates up to 4 times higher than rural women.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Kenya & 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 Kenya? ▾
7.1% of adults in Kenya are classified as obese and 27% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Kenya's obesity rate is rising rapidly in urban Nairobi and Mombasa, while rural areas maintain lower rates. Women in urban Kenya have obesity rates up to 4 times higher than rural women. The Ministry of Health Kenya monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Kenya use? ▾
Kenya follows the WHO standard (normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30). The Ministry of Health Kenya 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 Kenya? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Kenya 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 Kenya recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.