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 29 Mean for Women?
A BMI of 29 means you fall into the overweight category according to NHS guidelines. Whilst not yet in the obese range, a BMI of 29 does indicate excess weight that may affect your long-term health. The good news is that even modest weight loss of 5–10% can have meaningful health benefits. Understanding your BMI is the first step — use our free BMI calculator above to check your personal BMI, and explore what this means for your individual health and wellbeing.
10,000+ calculations today · NHS-aligned thresholds · 100% free
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 29 and the NHS Health Categories
According to NHS guidelines, BMI 29 falls squarely in the overweight category, which ranges from 25.0 to 29.9. This is below the obese threshold (30.0 and above) but above the healthy weight range of 18.5 to 24.9. Your BMI is calculated using the bmi formula — weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared.
For context on bmi range uk standards: a BMI of 29 means you're carrying excess weight that increases your risk of developing health conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. However, many women at this BMI remain in good overall health, especially if they're physically active and have no other risk factors.
To understand where you fit personally, use our BMI calculator on this page to see your exact category and what healthy bmi range looks like for your height. The nhs bmi guidelines remain consistent: losing even 5–10% of your current weight can reduce these health risks significantly.
Clinically BackedWeight Loss
No appointments. No waiting rooms. Just care — from a UK-regulated online pharmacy.
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
BMI is a useful screening tool, but it has important bmi limitations. It doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat — an athletic woman with high muscle mass might have a BMI of 29 but low body fat. It also doesn't account for where fat is stored; fat around your abdomen carries greater health risk than fat stored elsewhere.
Consider these complementary health measures: your waist circumference (aim for under 80cm or 31.5 inches), physical fitness level, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and family health history. Your GP can give you personalised guidance on whether your weight poses a risk for your individual situation. Track your progress with our free progress tracker to monitor changes over time alongside these wider health markers.
- 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 29 considered obese?
No. BMI 29 is in the overweight category, not obese. Obese starts at BMI 30.0. However, it's above the healthy range (18.5–24.9) and does indicate excess weight that may increase health risks over time.
What's the overweight BMI threshold for women?
The overweight bmi threshold according to NHS guidelines starts at BMI 25.0 and extends to 29.9. A BMI of 29 is near the upper end of this category, close to the obese boundary at 30.0.
How much weight would I need to lose to reach a healthy BMI?
This depends on your height. Use our weight converter and BMI calculator above to find your target weight range. For most women, losing 5–15kg would move them from BMI 29 into the healthy range, though this varies significantly by individual height.
Should I lose weight if my BMI is 29?
That depends on your overall health picture. If you have no weight-related health conditions and are physically active, your GP may not recommend weight loss. If you have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea, weight loss could significantly improve your health. Your GP can advise you personally.
What's the difference between BMI 29 and BMI 30?
BMI 29 is technically overweight; BMI 30 is the clinical threshold for obesity. This one-point difference is significant for health risk classification, though it represents a relatively small weight difference depending on your height — often just 0.5–1kg.
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.