🇺🇾 Uruguay 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Uruguay
Body Mass Index · WHO Standard · Uruguay Health Statistics
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WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Uruguay, 27.9% of adults are obese and 62.2% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Uruguay uses the WHO BMI standard. The Ministerio de Salud Pública del Uruguay (MSP) publishes these statistics nationally. Uruguay has one of the highest obesity rates in South America. The MSP's 2022 ENSO survey reported 37% of adults with obesity — higher than WHO global estimates.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Uruguay & 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 Uruguay? ▾
27.9% of adults in Uruguay are classified as obese and 62.2% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Uruguay has one of the highest obesity rates in South America. The MSP's 2022 ENSO survey reported 37% of adults with obesity — higher than WHO global estimates. The Ministerio de Salud Pública del Uruguay (MSP) monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Uruguay use? ▾
Uruguay follows the WHO standard (normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30). The Ministerio de Salud Pública del Uruguay (MSP) 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 Uruguay? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Uruguay 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 Pública del Uruguay (MSP) recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.