Body mass index: Is it relevant for Indians?

Obesity is defined as excessive unhealthy accumulation of body fat. India has the third largest obese population in the world after United States of America and China. Prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions in parts of India. In some urban areas, up to a third of the population is either overweight or obese. Childhood and adolescent obesity is also rising rapidly. If this trend continues, certain sections of Indian society may start seeing declining life expectancy in India after many decades of steady progress. Early diagnosis of overweight and obesity may prevent progression to more severe forms associated with complications. In this review, we examine the usefulness of Body Mass Index in diagnosis of obesity in Asian Indian population and the debate surrounding the call for a downward revision of “normal” range in this population.