BMI Calculator Bangladesh 2026
Calculate your Body Mass Index (বিএমআই) with the WHO Asia-Pacific cutoffs used for South Asians (overweight from BMI 23, obese from 27.5) and compare with the WHO international scale. Includes a WHO BMI-for-age mode for children and teens.
Your Measurements
This calculator uses the WHO Asia-Pacific scale (Lancet 2004), appropriate for Bangladeshis and other South Asians: overweight (অতিরিক্ত ওজন) starts at BMI 23 and obesity (স্থূলতা) at 27.5 — lower than the international 25/30 — because health risk rises at lower BMI in South Asian populations.
BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. It does not measure body fat directly or account for muscle mass. Consult a doctor for a full assessment.
Your Body Mass Index (বিএমআই)
Your BMI (Asian-Pacific classification):
22.9
Normal weight
স্বাভাবিক ওজন
Within the healthy Asian range (18.5–22.9). Maintain regular activity and a balanced diet of rice, daal, fish and vegetables.
For comparison — WHO international scale: Normal weight
Gauge shows WHO international bands (18.5 / 25 / 30). The Asia-Pacific bands used for Bangladesh are stricter: overweight from 23, obese from 27.5.
Healthy Weight Range for Your Height
BMI Categories — Asia-Pacific (Lancet 2004) vs WHO International
| Category | Asia-Pacific | WHO |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight (কম ওজন) | < 18.5 | < 18.5 |
| Normal (স্বাভাবিক) | 18.5 – 22.9 | 18.5 – 24.9 |
| Overweight (অতিরিক্ত ওজন) | 23 – 27.4 | 25 – 29.9 |
| Obese (স্থূলতা) | ≥ 27.5 | ≥ 30 |
For South Asians, abdominal obesity is flagged at a waist circumference of ≥ 90 cm (men) or ≥ 80 cm (women) — worth checking even at a "normal" BMI.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which BMI cutoffs apply in Bangladesh?
This calculator uses the WHO Asia-Pacific classification (WHO Expert Consultation, Lancet 2004), appropriate for Bangladeshis and other South Asians: normal (স্বাভাবিক ওজন) 18.5-22.9, overweight (অতিরিক্ত ওজন) from BMI 23, and obese (স্থূলতা) from BMI 27.5. The WHO international scale (overweight from 25, obese from 30) is shown alongside for comparison — a BMI of 24 is "normal" internationally but already in the increased-risk band for a Bangladeshi adult.
What is a healthy BMI for Bangladeshi adults?
A healthy BMI for Bangladeshi adults is 18.5 to 22.9 under the Asian cutoffs. From 23 upward, the risk of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure rises, and blood sugar screening is advisable. Waist circumference of 90 cm or more for men, or 80 cm or more for women, signals abdominal obesity even at a normal BMI.
Why does Bangladesh face a "double burden" of malnutrition?
Bangladesh has both persistent undernutrition (child stunting and adult underweight, especially in rural areas) and rapidly rising overweight, especially among urban women — successive Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys (BDHS) show the overweight share climbing steeply within a generation. Urbanisation, sedentary work, fried street food and sugary drinks are driving the increase, while poverty-linked underweight has not yet disappeared. Both ends of the BMI scale carry health risks.
How common is diabetes in Bangladesh?
The IDF Diabetes Atlas estimated roughly 13 million Bangladeshi adults living with diabetes, with a large share undiagnosed, and prevalence continues to rise. Non-communicable diseases now cause around 70% of deaths in Bangladesh. Because South Asians develop diabetes at lower BMI than Europeans, screening is recommended once BMI crosses 23 — free or low-cost checks are available at upazila health complexes and community clinics under the government NCD corner programme.
How is BMI measured for children and teenagers in Bangladesh?
Adult cutoffs do not apply below age 18. For ages 2-19 this calculator uses the WHO BMI-for-age reference: the child's BMI is converted to a z-score and percentile for their exact age and sex, and classified as thinness, normal, overweight or obesity. For concerns about a child's growth or nutrition, consult a paediatrician or your nearest community clinic.