Does a BMI of 23.5 really put you at risk of health problems if you are a 29 year old Asian

[onlychildhamster]

All the medical literature out there says so. I am trying to lose weight but it's a slow process. My ideal weight is 46 kg as I am super short, I would be at a BMI of 19.6 then!

Does it? 23.5 is a healthy BMI, 19.6 is at the lower end of the healthy weight scale.

@EdgeOfTheSky for Asians the healthy BMI range is lower.

@onlychildhamster yes it does. I’m not sure why you think people on mumsnet are going to know better than medical professionals though. Having said that, the standard healthy weight range is 24.9 and under but research seems to indicate that a bmi of 26-27 does not pose significant health risks and can actually be preferable in old age, so maybe it is the same for Asians in that being over your bmi by 1 or 2 isn’t ideal but doesn’t pose significant risks.
I don’t understand why you are aiming for a bmi of 19.6 though if you are struggling to lose weight. Why not just aim for the upper end of your healthy bmi and see how you feel?