🇹🇿 Tanzania 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Tanzania
Body Mass Index · WHO Standard · Tanzania Health Statistics
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WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Tanzania, 8.4% of adults are obese and 27% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Tanzania uses the WHO BMI standard. The Ministry of Health Tanzania publishes these statistics nationally. Tanzania has a dual nutritional burden: persistent undernutrition in rural and pastoralist communities, alongside rising obesity in Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania National Nutrition Survey tracks BMI nationally.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Tanzania & 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 Tanzania? ▾
8.4% of adults in Tanzania are classified as obese and 27% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Tanzania has a dual nutritional burden: persistent undernutrition in rural and pastoralist communities, alongside rising obesity in Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania National Nutrition Survey tracks BMI nationally. The Ministry of Health Tanzania monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Tanzania use? ▾
Tanzania follows the WHO standard (normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30). The Ministry of Health Tanzania 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 Tanzania? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Tanzania 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 Tanzania recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.