🇲🇲 Myanmar 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Myanmar
Body Mass Index · Asia-Pacific Standard · Myanmar Health Statistics
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WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Myanmar, 5.8% of adults are obese and 26% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Myanmar 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 Myanmar publishes these statistics nationally. Myanmar has a low overall obesity rate, but the Asia-Pacific standard (overweight ≥23) reveals a considerably higher proportion of the population at metabolic risk, particularly in urban Yangon and Mandalay.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Myanmar & 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 Myanmar? ▾
5.8% of adults in Myanmar are classified as obese and 26% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Myanmar has a low overall obesity rate, but the Asia-Pacific standard (overweight ≥23) reveals a considerably higher proportion of the population at metabolic risk, particularly in urban Yangon and Mandalay. The Ministry of Health Myanmar monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Myanmar use? ▾
Myanmar 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 Myanmar 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 Myanmar? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Myanmar 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 Myanmar recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.