Why Indian thresholds differ
Metabolic risk can appear at a lower body weight, so waist matters.
Metabolic risk can appear at a lower BMI in South Asians. Indian consensus guidance uses BMI 23 and a waist of 90 cm for men and 80 cm for women.
A thin person can still carry risk. In one US study, a BMI cut-off of 25 missed 36% of Asian Americans with diabetes.
These thresholds are prompts to look closer. Lower cut-offs also flag more people who are not affected, so a flag is the start of a conversation with your doctor.
23.7 BMI
Indian guidance looks closer from 23. Much global guidance waits until 25.88 cm waist
Indian guidance looks closer from 90 cm.One is above the Indian cut-off, though a global chart might not show it.
Sources
General information, not medical advice. Reviewed 2 November 2026.
Check yourself against Indian cut-offs
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