Asians overweight at BMI of 23
2 August 2002
People of Asian descent should be considered overweight at a body mass index (BMI) of 23 or above, according to a group advising the World Health Organization (WHO).
The experts concluded that health risks for Asians began at a BMI lower than 25, the index considered appropriate for Caucasians, said Dr Mabel Yap, vice-chair of the advice committee that met in Singapore last month.
Research published in the August 2002 issue of Obesity Reviews also showed that a lower BMI was associated with a higher risk of conditions such as diabetes and hypertension in people of Asian descent.
'Asians usually have a higher level of body fat, and a lower level of muscularity for every level of BMI compared to Caucasians,' said International Obesity Taskforce Asia-Pacific regional coordinator Dr Tim Gill, from the University of Sydney.
Despite the diverse range of populations in Asia, central fat deposition (so-called apple shape where fat is put on around the middle) was a clear risk factor common to all, and was likely to apply to Australian-born people of Asian descent as well as immigrants, Dr Gill said.
'We now know that we should start to be concerned about monitoring blood pressure and blood glucose in Asians who are putting on weight, particularly around the waist,' he said.
The WHO consultation set the 'normal' BMI range for Asians from 18.5 to 23, but it decided that individual countries should establish their own high-risk, or obese, cut-off points based on their own morbidity and mortality data, Dr Yap, a member of the Singapore Health Promotion Board, said.
WHO will issue formal guidelines on appropriate Asian BMIs within a year, she said.
Last Reviewed: 01 August 2002
- 1. Medical Observer Weekly 2/8/02
