🇵🇾 Paraguay 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Paraguay
Body Mass Index · WHO Standard · Paraguay Health Statistics
QUICK ANSWER
WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Paraguay, 20.3% of adults are obese and 53.4% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Paraguay uses the WHO BMI standard. The Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social de Paraguay (MSPBS) publishes these statistics nationally. Paraguay's obesity rate has increased by over 50% since 2000. Urban areas, especially Asunción, have significantly higher rates than rural and indigenous communities.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Paraguay & 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 Paraguay? ▾
20.3% of adults in Paraguay are classified as obese and 53.4% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Paraguay's obesity rate has increased by over 50% since 2000. Urban areas, especially Asunción, have significantly higher rates than rural and indigenous communities. The Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social de Paraguay (MSPBS) monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Paraguay use? ▾
Paraguay follows the WHO standard (normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30). The Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social de Paraguay (MSPBS) 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 Paraguay? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Paraguay 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 Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social de Paraguay (MSPBS) recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.