🇱🇦 Laos 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Laos
Body Mass Index · Asia-Pacific Standard · Laos Health Statistics
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WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Laos, 5.3% of adults are obese and 24.5% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Laos 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 Lao PDR publishes these statistics nationally. Laos uses Asia-Pacific BMI thresholds recommended by its Ministry of Health for the Lao population. Obesity rates have risen sharply in Vientiane, driven by rapid economic growth and changing diet.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Laos & 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 Laos? ▾
5.3% of adults in Laos are classified as obese and 24.5% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Laos uses Asia-Pacific BMI thresholds recommended by its Ministry of Health for the Lao population. Obesity rates have risen sharply in Vientiane, driven by rapid economic growth and changing diet. The Ministry of Health Lao PDR monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Laos use? ▾
Laos 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 Lao PDR 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 Laos? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Laos 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 Lao PDR recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.