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 Does a BMI of 22 Mean for Women?
A BMI of 22 for a female falls firmly within the healthy weight range according to NHS guidelines. This means your weight is well-balanced for your height and puts you at lower risk for weight-related health conditions. However, BMI is just one measure of health — other factors like fitness level, muscle mass, and waist circumference also matter. Use our free BMI calculator above to check your personal BMI and understand where you fall on the health spectrum.
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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.
BMI 22 and the NHS Healthy Weight Range
According to NHS guidelines, a healthy BMI for adults ranges from 18.5 to 24.9. A BMI of 22 sits comfortably in the middle of this range, indicating a healthy weight for your height. The BMI formula divides your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared — so at BMI 22, you're at optimal distance from both underweight and overweight thresholds. For context, the overweight BMI threshold begins at 25.0, meaning you have a healthy margin. If you're female and your BMI is 22, you're in a lower-risk group for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other weight-related conditions. This healthy BMI status is a positive indicator of health, though not the complete picture. Our free weight converter can help you quickly check if your current weight in stone, lbs, or kg corresponds to a BMI of 22 for your specific height.
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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.
BMI Limitations and What Else Matters
While a BMI of 22 is healthy, it's important to understand BMI limitations. BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat — a female athlete with significant muscle mass might have a higher BMI but lower body fat percentage. Waist circumference is equally important: the NHS recommends women keep waist measurement below 80cm (31.5 inches) for health, and below 88cm (34.5 inches) for increased risk. Fitness level, diet quality, sleep, stress, and family health history all affect your overall health beyond what BMI shows. Regular physical activity and balanced nutrition are more relevant than any single number. Your GP can provide personalised health advice based on your complete health picture, not BMI alone.
- 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.
Is a BMI of 22 good for a woman?
Yes, a BMI of 22 is in the healthy weight range (18.5–24.9) according to NHS guidelines. This indicates your weight is well-balanced for your height and you're at lower risk for weight-related health conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
What height and weight give a BMI of 22?
A BMI of 22 depends on your height. For example, at 5ft 6in (168cm), a BMI of 22 is approximately 63kg (10st 0lbs). At 5ft 4in (163cm), it's about 59kg (9st 4lbs). Use our free BMI calculator above to find the exact weight for your height.
Should I try to lose weight at BMI 22?
No. At BMI 22, you're in the healthy weight range. Weight loss is not recommended unless advised by your GP for a specific medical reason. Focus instead on maintaining your current weight through balanced eating and regular physical activity.
How does BMI 22 compare to other categories?
BMI 22 is healthier than the overweight range (25.0–29.9) and obese categories (30.0+), but similar to other healthy weights. The healthy range spans 18.5–24.9, so a BMI of 22 is mid-range and associated with good health outcomes.
What other health measures matter besides BMI?
Waist circumference (aim for under 80cm for women), fitness level, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and family health history all matter. BMI is a screening tool only. Your GP can assess your full health picture and recommend lifestyle habits that support long-term wellbeing.
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.