Why Normal BMI Doesn’t Mean Healthy for Asians (And What You Should Measure Instead)
You Have a “Normal” BMI — So Why Don’t You Feel Healthy? You calculate your BMI . It says 22. That’s “normal.” You breathe a sigh of relief. But then your doctor mentions elevated blood sugar. Or borderline cholesterol. Or increasing belly fat. You’re confused. How can your BMI be normal — but your health markers say otherwise? If you’re Asian — whether East Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian, or part of the global diaspora — this scenario is far more common than most people realize. The truth is simple but rarely discussed: A normal BMI does not automatically mean you are metabolically healthy — especially if you are Asian. In fact, many Asians develop type 2 diabetes , heart disease, and metabolic syndrome at lower body weights than Western populations. In this article, you’ll learn: Why BMI doesn’t work the same way for Asians The hidden risks of “normal-weight obesity” Updated Asian BMI cutoffs What to measure instead of BMI How stress and lifestyle silently increase risk Let’...