Are BMI cutoffs different for other ethnicities?

    Written by:
    Louie Neri

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Brady Holmer, Shyam Jayaraman
    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    Yes, BMI cutoffs differ for South Asian, Southeast Asian, and East Asian populations, in whom a BMI of 23 to 24.9 is classified as overweight due to their higher risk of cardiometabolic diseases at lower BMIs. The classifications for these ethnicities are underweight (<18.5), normal weight (18.5–22.9), overweight (23–24.9), class I obesity (25–29.9), and class II obesity (≥30).

    Yes, in people of South Asian, Southeast Asian, or East Asian descent, having a BMI of 23 to 24.9 is considered overweight.

    BMI cutoffs are lower in this population because they have an increased risk of cardiometabolic disease and mortality at lower BMIs. As a result, these ethnicities have different BMI classifications:[1]

    • A BMI <18.5 indicates underweight.
    • A BMI of 18.5 to 22.9 indicates normal weight.
    • A BMI of 23 to 24.9 indicates overweight.
    • A BMI of 25 to 29.9 indicates class I obesity.
    • A BMI ≥30 indicates class II obesity.
    Are BMI cutoffs different for other ethnicities? - Examine