🇰🇭 Cambodia 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Cambodia
Body Mass Index · Asia-Pacific Standard · Cambodia Health Statistics
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WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Cambodia, 3.9% of adults are obese and 20.7% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Cambodia 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 Cambodia publishes these statistics nationally. Cambodia has one of the lowest obesity rates in Southeast Asia (3.9%). However, the Asia-Pacific BMI cut-offs (overweight ≥23) are clinically more relevant given the Khmer population's susceptibility to metabolic disease at lower BMI.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Cambodia & 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 Cambodia? ▾
3.9% of adults in Cambodia are classified as obese and 20.7% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Cambodia has one of the lowest obesity rates in Southeast Asia (3.9%). However, the Asia-Pacific BMI cut-offs (overweight ≥23) are clinically more relevant given the Khmer population's susceptibility to metabolic disease at lower BMI. The Ministry of Health Cambodia monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Cambodia use? ▾
Cambodia 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 Cambodia 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 Cambodia? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Cambodia 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 Cambodia recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.