Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-09-13
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Curious about how your BMI could impact insurance eligibility? Our Bowtie experts break down the risks for adults and its effects on health, VHIS, critical illness, and life insurance underwriting in simple terms.
What Is The Normal BMI Range?
“Body Mass Index” (BMI) is an objective indicator for measuring the obesity level of general adults, and it’s internationally recognized. The BMI formula works for both men and women and is calculated as follows:
BMI Body Mass Index = Weight (kg) / Height (m) 2
BMI Classification for Asian Adults
| BMI Body Mass Index | Weight Level |
| < 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 – 22.9 | Normal |
| 23 – 24.9 | Overweight |
| ≥ 25 | Obese |
Which Age Groups Are More Likely to Be Overweight or Obese?
According to the Department of Health’s population health survey from 2020 to 2022, among people aged 15 to 84, 32.6% are classified as obese (BMI ≥ 25.0), while 22% are overweight (BMI 23 to 24.9). Overweight and obesity are most common in women aged 65 to 84 (57%) and men aged 45 to 54 (74.6%).
Health Issues Linked to Obesity
Obesity puts extra strain on various organs in the body, leading to numerous health problems, including an increased risk of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and certain cancers (like breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and endometrial cancer).
Obese individuals have more than 3 times the relative risk for the following diseases
- Sleep apnea
- Abnormal blood lipid levels
- Gallbladder disease
- Type II diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome
Obese individuals have 2 to 3 times the relative risk for the following diseases
- Coronary heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Osteoarthritis
- High uric acid levels
- Gout
Obese individuals have 1 to 2 times the relative risk for the following diseases
- Increased anesthesia risks
- Back pain
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Reduced fertility
- Cancer
- Reproductive hormone abnormalities
Health Risks of Being Underweight
Many people focus on obesity issues, but being underweight is something we shouldn’t overlook either. Because, just like being overweight, being underweight can also lead to health problems.
Health Risks of Being Underweight
- Malnutrition
- Anemia
- Osteoporosis
- Weakened Immune Function
- Irregular Menstrual Cycles
How BMI Impacts VHIS Insurance
When applying for VHIS , applicants must disclose the insured’s health status to the insurance company, including height, weight, smoking habits, medical history, and more . The insurance company will then assess the risk based on this information to decide whether to underwrite the policy.
Height and weight are common underwriting factors, as insurance companies can calculate the insured’s BMI from them. If the insured’s BMI is too extreme, the worst-case scenario could be policy rejection.
Bowtie’s VHIS BMI Acceptance Range: 15 to 35
To balance risk and ensure fairness for all users, Bowtie evaluates various factors when considering VHIS applications, including BMI. If an adult insured’s BMI is below 15 or above 35 , we may not be able to accept the application.
Check your BMI right now!
Depending on the insured’s BMI, underwriting outcomes could include rejection, acceptance, or adding a loading (meaning the applicant pays an additional premium).
In reality, underwriting considers many factors, and since health varies from person to person, insurance companies can’t make blanket decisions based solely on BMI. So, if you’re thinking about getting health insurance and your BMI isn’t quite ideal, feel free to give us a try and apply.
Does BMI Affect Critical Illness Insurance and Life Insurance?
When applying for critical illness insurance and life insurance, insurance companies also require applicants to disclose the insured’s health status. If BMI isn’t within standard ranges, it might influence the underwriting outcome. However, similar to VHIS underwriting, BMI is just one of many factors considered.
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