🇿🇼 Zimbabwe 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Zimbabwe
Body Mass Index · WHO Standard · Zimbabwe Health Statistics
QUICK ANSWER
WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Zimbabwe, 15.5% of adults are obese and 36.2% are overweight or obese (WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory). Zimbabwe uses the WHO BMI standard. The Ministry of Health and Child Care Zimbabwe publishes these statistics nationally. Zimbabwe's obesity rate has risen sharply since 2010. Urban women aged 35–49 have the highest obesity prevalence in the country.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Zimbabwe & 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 Zimbabwe? ▾
15.5% of adults in Zimbabwe are classified as obese and 36.2% are overweight or obese per WHO 2022 Global Health Observatory data. Zimbabwe's obesity rate has risen sharply since 2010. Urban women aged 35–49 have the highest obesity prevalence in the country. The Ministry of Health and Child Care Zimbabwe monitors these figures through national health and nutrition surveys.
What BMI standard does Zimbabwe use? ▾
Zimbabwe follows the WHO standard (normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30). The Ministry of Health and Child Care Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe? ▾
BMI is a widely used population screening tool in Zimbabwe 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 and Child Care Zimbabwe recommends combining BMI with waist circumference (men: <94 cm, women: <80 cm per WHO) and other clinical indicators for a complete assessment.