The UK's most complete GLP-1 guide
Every Question Answered. Every Side Effect Explained.
- How GLP-1 medications work
- Mounjaro vs Wegovy compared
- Injection instructions
- Side effects & solutions
- What to eat on treatment
- FAQs answered
Free tracker included with every download this week
What Is An Appropriate Weight For A Female?
There's no single "appropriate" weight that suits every female — it depends on your height, age, muscle mass, and overall health. The NHS uses BMI (body mass index) to define healthy weight ranges, and for most women, a healthy weight means a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. However, if you're of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends a lower target range of 18.5 to 22.9. The best approach is to understand your own healthy weight range rather than aiming for a specific number on the scales.
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Calculate Your BMI Instantly
Enter your height and weight below. Supports both imperial (stone & lbs) and metric (kg). Results include NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity adjustments.
What Is BMI and Why Does It Matter?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most widely used screening tool for assessing whether your weight falls within a healthy range. Used by the NHS, GPs, and weight management services across the UK, BMI provides a quick snapshot of your weight relative to your height. The formula is simple: your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared (kg/m²).
While BMI isn't a perfect measure — it doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution — it remains the standard first step in identifying potential weight-related health risks including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.
The NHS also recommends adjusted thresholds for people of South Asian, Chinese, or Black African heritage — a BMI of 23 or above is classified as overweight, and 27.5 as obese. Our calculator includes this adjustment as a one-click toggle.
How To Calculate Your Healthy Weight Range
Your healthy weight depends primarily on your height. Using the NHS BMI framework, you can calculate the weight range that's appropriate for you:
- Lower bound: Multiply 18.5 × your height in metres squared
- Upper bound: Multiply 24.9 × your height in metres squared
For example, a woman who is 5ft 5in (165cm or 1.65m) would have a healthy weight range of approximately 50–66kg (7st 13lbs to 10st 5lbs). Someone 5ft 8in (173cm) would fall between 55–74kg (8st 8lbs to 11st 9lbs). Use our free BMI calculator above to find your personal healthy weight range instantly. It accounts for your exact height and calculates where you sit on the NHS scale. If you're overweight or obese according to BMI, even a modest 5–10% weight reduction can significantly improve health markers like blood pressure and blood sugar control.
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How It Works
Three simple steps to understand your weight and take action.
Enter your height and weight in our free calculator. Get your BMI, NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity-adjusted thresholds instantly.
If your BMI suggests you're overweight or obese, explore our GLP-1 calculators to project potential weight loss on Mounjaro or Wegovy.
Use our progress tracker to log your weight weekly, visualise your journey with charts, and stay motivated — all stored privately in your browser.
Free Weight Loss Tools & Guides
Everything you need to understand your weight, explore medication options, and track your progress — completely free.
Why BMI Matters — And Its Limitations
BMI is a useful screening tool endorsed by the NHS and most health services, but it has important limits. It does not distinguish between muscle and fat — an athlete with high muscle mass might have a "high" BMI but very low body fat. BMI also doesn't account for where fat is stored; carrying weight around your waist poses greater health risks than weight distributed elsewhere. Additionally, waist circumference matters: the NHS advises that for women, a waist over 80cm (31.5 inches) suggests increased health risk, and over 88cm (34.5 inches) suggests high risk, regardless of BMI. Your GP can help you interpret your personal weight and health, considering factors like family history, medical conditions, and fitness level — not just the number on the scales.
- Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 22.5% body weight loss (SURMOUNT-1)
- Weekly injection, dose escalation over 20+ weeks
- Available via private prescription in the UK
- Doses: 2.5mg → 5mg → 7.5mg → 10mg → 12.5mg → 15mg
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 15–17% body weight loss (STEP trials)
- Weekly injection, 5-step dose escalation
- NHS & private prescription available
- Doses: 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1mg → 1.7mg → 2.4mg
Mounjaro vs Wegovy: Head-to-Head
A side-by-side comparison of the two most popular GLP-1 weight loss medications available in the UK.
| Feature | Mounjaro | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist | GLP-1 agonist |
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
| Avg. weight loss | 15–22.5% | 12–17% |
| Key trial | SURMOUNT-1 (2022) | STEP 1 (2021) |
| Max dose | 15 mg weekly | 2.4 mg weekly |
| Escalation period | 20–32 weeks | 16–20 weeks |
| Administration | Weekly injection (pen) | Weekly injection (pen) |
| NHS availability | Private prescription only | NHS & private |
| Approx. private cost | £150–£250/month | £150–£300/month |
| Common side effects | Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea |
Data sourced from SURMOUNT-1 and STEP 1 clinical trials. Costs are approximate and vary by provider. Always consult a prescriber.
Am I Eligible for Weight Loss Medication?
In the UK, eligibility for GLP-1 weight loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy is based on your BMI and overall health profile.
- BMI of 30 or above (obese)
- Age 18 or over
- No contraindicated conditions
- Committed to lifestyle changes
- BMI of 27 or above
- Plus type 2 diabetes
- Or high blood pressure
- Or obstructive sleep apnoea
Use our BMI calculator to check whether your BMI falls within the eligible range.
How We Built These Tools
Every calculator and guide on myweightcheck is built with accuracy and transparency in mind. Our BMI calculator uses the standard WHO formula with NHS-aligned category thresholds. Our GLP-1 projections are modelled on published clinical trial data from SURMOUNT and STEP studies.
All data stays on your device. We don't require sign-ups, and we don't store your health information on any server. Your progress tracker saves data locally in your browser using localStorage, so only you can see it.
We're based in the UK and our tools are designed specifically for UK users — supporting stone & lbs by default, referencing NHS guidelines, using NICE-approved medication data, and linking to GPhC-registered pharmacies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BMI, weight loss medications, and our free UK tools.
What is considered a healthy weight for a 5ft 6in woman?
A woman who is 5ft 6in (168cm) has a healthy BMI weight range of approximately 52–70kg (8st 2lbs to 11st 0lbs) according to NHS guidance. Use our weight converter to switch between metric and imperial measurements, then check your personal BMI with our calculator.
Does appropriate weight change with age?
BMI categories remain the same across ages (18.5–24.9 is healthy), but metabolism slows with age and muscle naturally decreases. Older women may benefit from slightly higher weights to preserve muscle mass. Your GP can advise on age-appropriate targets.
How much weight should I aim to lose if I'm overweight?
The NHS recommends losing weight at a rate of 0.5–1kg (1–2lbs) per week for sustainable results. This typically requires a calorie deficit of around 500kcal daily. Losing even 5–10% of your current body weight can improve health markers significantly.
What if I'm of South Asian heritage — is my appropriate weight different?
Yes. The NHS recommends lower BMI thresholds for South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean women due to higher health risks at lower weights: aim for a BMI of 18.5–22.9 rather than 18.5–24.9. This means a lower appropriate weight range.
Should I use prescription weight loss medication to reach an appropriate weight?
Prescription weight loss medications like Wegovy (semaglutide) are available on the NHS through specialist services or privately if you have a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with weight-related health conditions. Your GP can advise whether medication is appropriate for you alongside lifestyle changes.
Ready to take control of your weight loss journey?
Start with a free BMI check, explore your GLP-1 options, or begin tracking your progress today. No sign-up. No cost. Just results.