This is the most established and widely used measurement and is defined as
The current WHO classification states that the cut-off points for overweight and obesity
is 25 and 30 kg/m2 respectively. However, it has become increasingly clear that there
is a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk factors in parts of
Asia below those cut-off points. Evidence from several Asian countries are now available
including Hong Kong, Singapore, China, India, and Japan to
show tha t the risk of co morbidities begin to rise at lower BMI values. Many Asian
populations have a higher body fat percent at similar BMI, compared with
Caucasian/European populations. Thus, based on current evidence, the following
classification of weight by BMI according to risk of co-morbidities is recommended.

BMI (kg/m2) Classification Risk of co-morbidities
 <> | Underweight Low (but increased risk of other clinical problems)
18.5–22.9 Normal Average
23.0–24.9 Overweight Increased
25.0–29.9 Obese I Moderate
≥ 30.0 Obese II Severe

Waist circumference

Waist circumference (WC) measurement is simple, reliable, and correlates well with abdominal fat content irrespective of the BMI. WC is also an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. It is most useful in individuals who are in the normal and overweight categories of the BMI. In those with BMI > 35 kg/m2 it is unnecessary to measure WC as it looses its predictive value.


The current WHO recommendations suggest that the WC of 94 cm and 80 cm is associated with an increased risk in man and woman respectively. However, it has become increasingly clear that there is a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes melitus and cardiovascular risk factors in parts of Asia below those cut-off points. Evidence from several Asian countries are now available including Hong Kong, Singapore and China. Thus, based on current evidence, the following waist circumference is associated with an increased risk