🇸🇴 Somalia 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Somalia
Body Mass Index · WHO Standard · Somalia Health Statistics
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WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Somalia, 8.3% of adults are obese and 26% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Somalia uses the WHO BMI standard. The Ministry of Health Somalia publishes these statistics nationally. Somalia has mixed nutritional data reflecting ongoing instability. Urban Mogadishu shows higher rates, while food insecurity in rural and conflict-affected areas suppresses obesity statistics.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Somalia & 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 Somalia? ▾
8.3% of adults in Somalia are classified as obese and 26% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Somalia has mixed nutritional data reflecting ongoing instability. Urban Mogadishu shows higher rates, while food insecurity in rural and conflict-affected areas suppresses obesity statistics. The Ministry of Health Somalia monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Somalia use? ▾
Somalia follows the WHO standard (normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30). The Ministry of Health Somalia 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 Somalia? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Somalia 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 Somalia recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.