🇱🇰 Sri Lanka 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Sri Lanka
Body Mass Index · Asia-Pacific Standard · Sri Lankan Health Statistics
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WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Sri Lanka, 5.2% of adults are obese and 26.4% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022). Sri Lanka follows the Asia-Pacific BMI standard endorsed by the Ministry of Health: overweight begins at BMI 23 (not 25 as in WHO), and obese at BMI 27.5. South Asian populations, including Sri Lankans, have higher cardiometabolic risk at lower BMI values than European populations.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Sri Lanka & 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 BMI standard does Sri Lanka use? ▾
Sri Lanka follows the Asia-Pacific BMI standard recommended for South Asian populations: normal 18.5–22.9, overweight 23.0–27.4, obese ≥27.5. This is endorsed by the Ministry of Health Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA). The WHO-recommended Asia-Pacific cut-offs are used because Sri Lankans face higher metabolic risks (type-2 diabetes, hypertension) at lower BMI levels than Europeans.
What is the obesity rate in Sri Lanka? ▾
5.2% of Sri Lankan adults are obese and 26.4% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022. Using the stricter Asia-Pacific thresholds (overweight ≥23), the effective overweight rate in Sri Lanka is considerably higher. The Ministry of Health Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey monitors these trends.
Are Sri Lankans more at risk of metabolic disease at lower BMI? ▾
Yes. Research confirms South Asian populations, including Sri Lankans, develop type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease at BMI values 2–3 units lower than Europeans. A Sri Lankan with BMI 23 faces similar metabolic risk as a European at BMI 27. This is why the Asia-Pacific cut-off (overweight ≥23) is more clinically relevant for Sri Lankans than the standard WHO cut-off of 25.