BMI (Asian Cut-offs): Your Questions Answered
These are the questions people ask most often about bmi (asian cut-offs). Each answer is short; follow the links for the full detail.
What does a bmi (asian cut-offs) calculation tell me?
Singapore's Health Promotion Board uses lower BMI cut-offs for Asians because health risks rise at lower BMIs. This calculator applies them.
What is the formula?
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)²; 18.5–22.9 is the healthy range for Asians.
What do I need to enter?
Weight (kg), Height (cm).
Is this a medical assessment?
No. These are general estimates. Speak to a doctor or polyclinic for advice about your health.
Can you show an example?
For example, with these inputs:
- Weight (kg): 68
- Height (cm): 170
the calculator returns:
- BMI: 23.53
- Health risk (HPB Asian cut-offs): Moderate risk
Any tips?
- Track trends over weeks rather than reacting to a single reading.
- Formulas give estimates for the average person; your doctor can account for your history and body composition.
- Healthy 365 and wearables give useful data, but treat their calorie figures as approximate.
Background
Research has shown that Asians tend to develop conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease at lower body weights than Europeans. That is why the Health Promotion Board recommends lower BMI cut-offs for Singaporeans, with 23 marking the start of moderate risk.
Singapore's tropical climate means you lose more fluid through sweat, even when you are not exercising. Thirst, urine colour and how you feel are good guides, and needs rise during outdoor activity or heat waves.
Simple measurements such as weight, height and waist circumference are widely used to screen for health risks because they are cheap and easy to repeat. They are not diagnoses, but tracked over time they show whether lifestyle changes are working.
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Try it yourself with the BMI Calculator (Asian Cut-offs).
Run your own numbers: BMI Calculator (Asian Cut-offs)