What BMI measures
Body mass index is weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Under 18.5 is underweight, 18.5–24.9 normal, 25–29.9 overweight and 30 or above obese by WHO classification. Some Indian guidelines use lower cut-offs (23 for overweight) because of higher body fat at the same BMI.
Limits of BMI
BMI does not distinguish muscle from fat, so athletes can read as overweight, and it does not show where fat is stored. Waist circumference above 90 cm for men or 80 cm for women is a better marker of metabolic risk in Indians. Treat BMI as a screening number, not a diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy BMI for Indians?
Indian health guidelines suggest keeping BMI under 23, lower than the global 25 threshold.
Is BMI different for men and women?
The formula and categories are the same for adults; children use age and sex specific charts.