🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Papua New Guinea
Body Mass Index · WHO Standard · Papua New Guinea Health Statistics
QUICK ANSWER
WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Papua New Guinea, 21.3% of adults are obese and 45.2% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Papua New Guinea uses the WHO BMI standard. The National Department of Health Papua New Guinea publishes these statistics nationally. Papua New Guinea has seen rapid increases in obesity driven by urbanisation and the shift from traditional diets to processed foods.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Papua New Guinea & 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 Papua New Guinea? ▾
21.3% of adults in Papua New Guinea are classified as obese and 45.2% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Papua New Guinea has seen rapid increases in obesity driven by urbanisation and the shift from traditional diets to processed foods. The National Department of Health Papua New Guinea monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Papua New Guinea use? ▾
Papua New Guinea follows the WHO standard (normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30). The National Department of Health Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Papua New Guinea 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 National Department of Health Papua New Guinea recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.