Obesity: BMI classification for Asians: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Obesity: BMI classification for Asians

Sample item

A 40-year-old Indian man weighs 66 kg and is 1.66 m tall. According to the Asia-Pacific BMI classification, he is best described as:

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Overweight

BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared: 66 divided by 2.7556 gives about 24.0. In the Asia-Pacific classification, overweight is 23.0 to 24.9 and obesity starts at 25, because Asians carry greater metabolic risk at lower BMI. A BMI of 24 would be normal by the international cut-off of 25.

Option by option

  • A. Overweight (correct)

    Correct. A BMI of about 24 lies in the Asia-Pacific overweight range of 23 to 24.9.

  • B. Normal weight

    Normal weight in this classification ends at 22.9, although the international scale would call 24 normal.

  • C. Obese class I

    Obese class I begins at a BMI of 25 in this scheme, which he has not reached.

  • D. Obese class II

    Obese class II begins at a BMI of 30 in this scheme.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is A, Overweight. BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared: 66 divided by 2.

Why is "Normal weight" not the answer?

Normal weight in this classification ends at 22.9, although the international scale would call 24 normal.

Why is "Obese class I" not the answer?

Obese class I begins at a BMI of 25 in this scheme, which he has not reached.

Why is "Obese class II" not the answer?

Obese class II begins at a BMI of 30 in this scheme.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Obesity: BMI classification for Asians in PSM. 7556 gives about 24.0. In the Asia-Pacific classification, overweight is 23.0 to 24.9 and obesity starts at 25, because Asians carry greater metabolic risk at lower BMI. A BMI of 24 would be normal by the international cut-off of 25.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Obesity: BMI classification for Asians?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.