🇸🇻 El Salvador 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — El Salvador
Body Mass Index · WHO Standard · El Salvador Health Statistics
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WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In El Salvador, 24.6% of adults are obese and 58.2% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). El Salvador uses the WHO BMI standard. The Ministerio de Salud de El Salvador (MINSAL) publishes these statistics nationally. El Salvador's urban population, particularly in the San Salvador metropolitan area, has significantly higher obesity rates than rural communities.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — El Salvador & 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 El Salvador? ▾
24.6% of adults in El Salvador are classified as obese and 58.2% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. El Salvador's urban population, particularly in the San Salvador metropolitan area, has significantly higher obesity rates than rural communities. The Ministerio de Salud de El Salvador (MINSAL) monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does El Salvador use? ▾
El Salvador follows the WHO standard (normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30). The Ministerio de Salud de El Salvador (MINSAL) 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 El Salvador? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in El Salvador 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 de El Salvador (MINSAL) recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.