🇷🇸 Serbia 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Serbia
Body Mass Index · WHO Standard · Serbia Health Statistics
QUICK ANSWER
WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Serbia, 21.4% of adults are obese and 55.6% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Serbia uses the WHO BMI standard. The Institut za javno zdravlje Srbije "Dr Milan Jovanović Batut" publishes these statistics nationally. Serbia conducts regular National Health Surveys; the 2019 survey found 54.5% of adults overweight or obese. Urban Belgrade has higher rates than rural southern Serbia.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Serbia & 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 Serbia? ▾
21.4% of adults in Serbia are classified as obese and 55.6% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Serbia conducts regular National Health Surveys; the 2019 survey found 54.5% of adults overweight or obese. Urban Belgrade has higher rates than rural southern Serbia. The Institut za javno zdravlje Srbije "Dr Milan Jovanović Batut" monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Serbia use? ▾
Serbia follows the WHO standard (normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30). The Institut za javno zdravlje Srbije "Dr Milan Jovanović Batut" 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 Serbia? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Serbia 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 Institut za javno zdravlje Srbije "Dr Milan Jovanović Batut" recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.