Learn the healthy BMI range according to the WHO.
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Calculate my BMI →The World Health Organization defines as normal or healthy BMI the range between 18.5 and 24.9 for adults of both sexes. This range is associated with the lowest risk of chronic diseases related to weight.
| Category | BMI range | Health status |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | Less than 18.5 | Below healthy range |
| Normal ✓ | 18.5 – 24.9 | Ideal healthy range |
| Overweight | 25 – 29.9 | Above healthy range |
| Obesity | 30 or more | Elevated risk |
Epidemiological studies show that BMI values between 21 and 23 are associated with the lowest overall mortality in young and middle-aged adults. However, staying at any point in the 18.5–24.9 range is considered equally healthy.
The official ranges are the same for adult men and women. However, some specialists suggest adjustments based on age:
| Group | BMI considered normal |
|---|---|
| Adults 18–64 years (men and women) | 18.5 – 24.9 |
| Adults over 65 years | 22 – 27 (expanded range) |
| People of Asian origin | 18.5 – 22.9 (lower threshold) |
| Children and adolescents | Percentile by age and sex |
In people over 65, a slightly higher BMI can be protective, as it represents greater muscle reserve and better resilience against illness. A BMI that is too low in older people is associated with frailty and greater risk of mortality.
People of Asian origin tend to accumulate visceral fat (abdominal fat) at lower BMI values than people of European origin. That is why the WHO recognizes that BMI 23 in Asian people is equivalent to BMI 25 in Western populations in terms of metabolic risk.