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Body mass index, or BMI, is a simple number used to estimate whether a person’s weight is appropriate for their height. It is calculated using height and weight, and the result is grouped into broad categories such as underweight, normal, overweight, or obese. BMI is commonly used in health screenings and population studies because it is quick and easy to compute.
BMI does not directly measure body fat or overall health. It is best seen as a starting point for understanding weight-related risk, not a diagnosis.
The World Health Organization uses a global BMI standard designed to apply broadly across populations. These cutoffs were developed mainly from studies involving Western populations and are useful for international comparisons and large-scale public health tracking.
However, research has shown that people in Asia tend to develop obesity-related health risks at lower BMI values compared to Western populations. This led to the development of Asia-Pacific BMI guidelines, which use lower cutoffs to better reflect risk in these populations.
Both standards are valid within their intended context. The difference does not mean one is right and the other is wrong. They are simply tools designed for different populations.