🇾🇪 Yemen 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Yemen
Body Mass Index · WHO Standard · Yemen Health Statistics
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WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Yemen, 17.1% of adults are obese and 46.5% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Yemen uses the WHO BMI standard. The وزارة الصحة العامة والسكان اليمنية publishes these statistics nationally. Yemen has lower obesity rates than most Arab countries, reflecting ongoing food insecurity and humanitarian crisis. However, urban obesity has grown in Sanaa and Aden even as rural undernutrition persists.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Yemen & 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 Yemen? ▾
17.1% of adults in Yemen are classified as obese and 46.5% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Yemen has lower obesity rates than most Arab countries, reflecting ongoing food insecurity and humanitarian crisis. However, urban obesity has grown in Sanaa and Aden even as rural undernutrition persists. The وزارة الصحة العامة والسكان اليمنية monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Yemen use? ▾
Yemen follows the WHO standard (normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30). The وزارة الصحة العامة والسكان اليمنية 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 Yemen? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Yemen 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 وزارة الصحة العامة والسكان اليمنية recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.