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 28 Mean?
A BMI of 28 falls into the overweight category according to NHS guidelines, which classify BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 as overweight. At this level, your weight may begin to affect your health, particularly if you also have weight-related conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or sleep apnoea. If you have a BMI of 28 alongside any of these conditions, you may be eligible for prescription weight loss support including medications like Mounjaro. Use our free BMI calculator to confirm your personal BMI and explore what it means for your health.
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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 28 in the NHS Categories and Weight Loss Eligibility
A BMI of 28 is classified as overweight under NHS guidelines (BMI 25.0–29.9). At this level, your health risk is elevated compared to a healthy BMI (18.5–24.9), though not yet classified as obese.
For Mounjaro eligibility in the UK, a BMI of 28 alone is below the standard threshold of 30. However, you may still qualify if you have at least one weight-related health condition:
- Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Abnormal blood fats (dyslipidaemia)
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- History of heart disease or stroke
If you are of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends lower BMI thresholds — you may be eligible at a BMI of 27.5 or above with comorbidities. Try our free GLP-1 weight loss calculator to explore potential outcomes with Mounjaro if you meet eligibility criteria.
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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 Complementary Health Measures
BMI does not tell the full story of your health. BMI does not distinguish between muscle and fat — an athletic person with high muscle mass may have a BMI of 28 but excellent cardiovascular fitness. BMI also ignores where fat is stored; fat around the waist poses greater health risk than fat stored elsewhere.
The NHS recommends considering waist circumference alongside BMI. For men, a waist over 94cm (37 inches) indicates increased risk; over 102cm (40 inches) indicates high risk. For women, increased risk begins at 80cm (31.5 inches) and high risk at 88cm (34.5 inches).
Weight management at a BMI of 28 can include lifestyle changes, structured programmes, or prescription support. Your GP can assess your individual situation and recommend the right approach for you.
- 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 28 considered overweight in the UK?
Yes. According to NHS guidelines, a BMI of 28 falls in the overweight category (25.0–29.9). At this level, your health risk is higher than in the healthy weight range (18.5–24.9), and losing even 5–10% of your body weight can improve your health.
Can I get Mounjaro prescribed with a BMI of 28?
You may be eligible for Mounjaro if you have a BMI of 28 and at least one weight-related health condition (type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, etc.). If you are of South Asian or Black African heritage, you may qualify at a lower BMI threshold. A prescriber will assess your individual case.
What is the BMI formula used in the UK?
The BMI formula is weight (kg) divided by height in metres squared. For example, if you weigh 75kg and are 1.73m tall, your BMI is 75 ÷ (1.73²) = 25.1. Use our free BMI calculator above to find your exact BMI in seconds.
How much weight do I need to lose to move from BMI 28 to healthy weight?
The amount depends on your height. For someone 1.73m tall at a BMI of 28 (approximately 83.7kg), moving to a healthy BMI of 24.9 would mean losing around 9kg. Use our weight converter and BMI calculator to work out the target for your specific height.
What are the NHS weight management options for a BMI of 28?
The NHS typically recommends starting with tier 1 support: self-help, digital tools, and community weight management programmes. If these are unsuccessful, your GP can refer you to a specialist weight management service (tier 3), where prescription medications may be considered alongside lifestyle support.
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.