🇺🇸 United States 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — United States
Body Mass Index · CDC Standard · US Health Statistics
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WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In the United States, 36.2% of adults are obese and 69.0% are overweight or obese (CDC NHANES 2022) — one of the highest rates among high-income countries. The CDC and NIH use WHO BMI thresholds: normal weight 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30, severely obese ≥40. Annual obesity-related healthcare costs exceed $173 billion.
22.9
Your BMI
WHO scale
1518.5253040
Healthy weight (WHO)
56.7 kg – 76.3 kg
BMI 18.5–24.9 for this height
Asia-Pacific normal
56.7 kg – 70.1 kg
Upper cut-off BMI 22.9
BMI Prime
0.92
BMI ÷ 25. 1.0 = WHO overweight line
🌍WHO
Normal weight
US, Europe, Australia
🇨🇳China
Normal weight
WGOC 2004 standard
🌏Asia-Pacific
Normal weight
Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan
🇯🇵Japan
Normal weight
Japan, South Korea
- 1Convert height to metres175 cm ÷ 1001.75 m
- 2Apply BMI formula: weight ÷ height²70 ÷ (1.75)² = 70 ÷ 3.0625BMI = 22.9
- 3Classify against international standardsWHO: <18.5 under, 18.5–24.9 normal, 25–29.9 over, ≥30 obeseWHO: Normal weight · Asia-Pacific: Normal weight
- 4BMI Prime (BMI ÷ 25)22.9 ÷ 250.92
BMI classification — United States and international
| Category | 🌍 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 the United States? ▾
36.2% of US adults are obese (CDC NHANES 2022), making the US one of the most obese nations among high-income countries. Non-Hispanic Black adults have the highest prevalence (49.9%), followed by Hispanic adults (45.6%). Obesity rates are highest in rural Appalachian states. Annual obesity-related healthcare costs exceed $173 billion.
What BMI standard does the CDC use? ▾
The CDC uses WHO BMI thresholds adapted for US clinical practice: underweight <18.5, normal weight 18.5–24.9, overweight 25.0–29.9, obesity class I: 30–34.9, class II: 35–39.9, extreme obesity (class III): ≥40. For Asian Americans, the CDC acknowledges health risks begin at BMI 23.0 (overweight) and 27.5 (obese), consistent with Asia-Pacific guidelines.
How does US obesity compare to other countries? ▾
The US adult obesity rate (36.2%) is among the highest globally, far exceeding the UK (27.8%), Canada (29.4%), Germany (22.3%), France (17%), and Japan (4.3%). Only Pacific Island nations, some Middle Eastern countries (Kuwait: 37.9%, Jordan: 35.5%), and Saudi Arabia (35.4%) have similar or higher rates. The OECD average is approximately 19%.