BMI calculator for Indians
Indians develop diabetes, high blood pressure and fatty liver at lower weights than Europeans, so doctors in India use lower BMI cut-offs and a waist measurement. Move the sliders to see where you stand.
Medically reviewed and approved by Dr Reina Punj, MBBS, PG Diploma in Endocrinology (University of South Wales, UK), Lead Physician, Lean Life. Approved on 24 October 2026.
Your BMI
27.5
Obesity (Indian cut-off)
Your waist
92 cm
Above the Indian risk level (80 cm)
Your BMI is in the obesity range by Indian cut-offs, and your waist is above the risk level. A doctor can explain your options, including whether GLP-1 treatment is suitable.
BMI and waist size are screening measures, not a diagnosis. A doctor looks at your whole health.
BMI cut-offs for Indian adults
| BMI | Indian classification | International classification |
|---|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight | Underweight |
| 18.5 to 22.9 | Healthy | Healthy |
| 23 to 24.9 | Overweight | Healthy |
| 25 and above | Obesity | Overweight from 25, obesity from 30 |
These lower cut-offs come from the Indian consensus guidelines on obesity. They exist because, at the same BMI, Indians tend to carry more body fat, especially around the abdomen, and face higher risks of diabetes and heart disease.
Why waist size matters
Fat around the abdomen is the riskiest kind. For Indian adults, a waist of 90 cm or more in men, or 80 cm or more in women, signals higher risk, even if your BMI looks healthy. Measure around your belly at the level of your navel, standing relaxed, after breathing out.
What your BMI means for treatment
GLP-1 medicines are licensed for adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea. Indian doctors also take the lower Indian cut-offs, your waist and your health into account. A Lean Life doctor makes the decision with you after an assessment.
BMI has limits
Next: find the healthy weight range for your height, or work out how much protein you need.
- It doesn't tell fat from muscle, so very muscular people can score high.
- It isn't for pregnancy, children or teenagers.
- It doesn't show where fat sits. That's why we also use waist size and InBody body-composition scans.
Questions
What is a healthy BMI for Indians?
18.5 to 22.9. From 23 is overweight and from 25 is obesity, by Indian guidelines.
Why are BMI cut-offs lower for Indians?
At the same BMI, Indians tend to carry more body fat, especially around the abdomen, and develop diabetes and heart disease at lower weights.
What waist size is healthy for Indians?
Below 90 cm for men and below 80 cm for women.
Can I get weight loss treatment with a BMI of 27?
Possibly, if you also have a weight-related condition. A doctor decides after an assessment.
References
- Misra A et al. Consensus statement for diagnosis of obesity, abdominal obesity and the metabolic syndrome for Asian Indians. J Assoc Physicians India 2009
- World Health Organization. WHO issues global guideline on the use of GLP-1 medicines in treating obesity, 1 December 2025
- Mounjaro summary of product characteristics, European Medicines Agency
Want to know what your numbers mean for you?
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