BMI Calculator Singapore
Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is a useful screening tool that helps you understand whether your weight is within a healthy range for your height. Knowing your BMI can give you an indication of potential health risks linked to being underweight, overweight, or obese. While it is not a diagnostic tool, it is a simple and practical first step in monitoring your health and making informed lifestyle choices.
Calculate your BMI today and take charge of your wellbeing. If your result falls outside the healthy range, consider booking an appointment with us for personalised advice and support.
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What Are the BMI Categories in Singapore?
BMI values are grouped into ranges that indicate whether an individual is underweight, within a healthy range, overweight, or obese. These categories provide a general guide but should be interpreted with individual health factors in mind.
| BMI range | Category | Associated health risks |
|---|---|---|
<18.5 | Underweight |
|
18.5–22.9 | Normal | NIL |
23–27.4 | Overweight |
|
≥27.5 | Obese |
Note: This table follows Asian BMI guidelines, but healthy ranges may differ for other ethnic groups.
How Do I Manage My BMI?
Understanding how to manage your BMI can help you make informed choices about diet, activity, and when to seek professional guidance for your health.
If you are underweight, focus on gaining weight safely through a nutrient-rich, calorie-dense diet. This can include eating several small meals throughout the day, adding healthy snacks like nuts or protein bars, and incorporating calorie-dense additions such as nut butters or seeds to meals. In addition, avoid relying on empty calories like sugary or highly processed foods.
If you suspect hormonal issues or find it difficult to gain weight despite dietary changes, it is recommended to consult a doctor or endocrinologist for personalised advice.
Even within a healthy BMI range, it is important to monitor your diet and maintain regular physical activity to prevent gradual weight gain. A balanced diet rich in nutrients, staying active, and practising portion control can help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases over time.
For individuals who are overweight or obese, lifestyle changes can help manage weight and reduce risks for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other conditions. Focus on a balanced, reduced-calorie diet, increase daily physical activity such as walking or structured exercise, and adopt behavioural strategies like goal setting, stress management, and motivation techniques. Even modest weight loss of 5–10% of current body weight can provide health benefits.
If you suspect hormonal or medical factors are contributing to weight gain, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional or endocrinologist.
What Are the Limitations of BMI Calculation?
BMI does not measure body fat directly, so it may not give an accurate picture for athletes, elderly individuals, or those with higher muscle mass. For a clearer assessment of health, it is best used alongside other indicators such as body fat analysis and waist circumference.
FAQs About BMI
What Is BMI?
BMI is a simple calculation of weight in relation to height, used to estimate overall tissue mass. It acts as a general indicator of whether an individual’s weight is appropriate for their height and is widely used in health assessments.
BMI is commonly applied to classify individuals into categories such as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. These ranges can vary depending on region and age, and may include further subcategories such as severely underweight or very severely obese. Although BMI is not a perfect measure of health, it provides a useful starting point for identifying individuals who may benefit from further testing or medical evaluation.
How to calculate my BMI in Singapore?
You can calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) manually using this formula:
BMI = weight (kg) / height2(m)
For example, if an individual weighs 74 kg and is 1.74 m tall, the calculation would be:
74 / (1.74 × 1.74) = 24.4
This means the person’s BMI is 24.4.
What is a good BMI?
A healthy BMI is generally considered to fall between 18.5 and 22.9.
Is the calculation of BMI affected by age?
The calculation of BMI is the same for everyone, regardless of age. It is derived by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in metres. This formula does not change whether it is applied to children, teenagers, or adults.
What differs is the way the BMI result is interpreted. The bodies of children and adolescents are still developing, and the proportion of body fat changes as they grow. In addition, boys and girls develop differently. Due to these factors, BMI values for children must be compared against BMI-for-age percentile charts, which are gender specific.
Therefore, while the calculation itself is not affected by age, the interpretation of BMI in children and adolescents must always take both age and gender into account.
What are the risk factors for a high BMI?
Having a high BMI can be influenced by a combination of the following factors: genetics, lifestyle, and medical conditions.
- Genetics: Your genes can affect how your body stores fat and responds to diet and exercise, though lifestyle usually has a bigger impact.
- Family history: Having overweight parents may increase your risk due to both inherited traits and shared habits.
- Diet: Eating high-calorie, low-nutrient foods can contribute to gradual weight gain.
- Physical activity: Not getting enough regular exercise makes it easier for BMI to increase over time.
- Environment: Access to safe walking paths, public transport, and healthy foods can influence how active you are and what you eat.
- Medications: Certain drugs, such as those for sleep, blood pressure, psychiatric, or heart conditions, can increase appetite or reduce energy, indirectly raising BMI.
- Medical conditions: Hormonal disorders like PCOS, thyroid issues, type 2 diabetes, or rare syndromes can disrupt metabolism and make weight management more difficult.
Understanding these factors can help you make informed choices to maintain a healthy BMI, lower the risk of weight-related health issues, and recognise when it may be time to seek professional support.
Disclaimer
This information is provided for general education. It does not replace personalised medical advice. Please consult your doctor for guidance on the medications that may be appropriate for you.
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Dr. Linsey Gani Endocrinology
10 Sinaran Drive, #10-08, Novena Medical Center, Singapore 307506
+65 6397 7101
+65 9128 7480
Monday - Friday
08:30 - 12:30
14:00 - 17:30
09:00-12:00
Closed
Monday - Friday
08:30 - 12:30
14:00 - 17:30
09:00 - 12:00
Closed