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 classifies BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 as overweight. This means your weight is above the healthy range for your height, but below the obesity threshold. Whether this poses health risks depends on other factors including your age, fitness level, where fat is stored on your body, and any existing health conditions. Your GP can provide personalised advice about what your individual BMI means for your health. Use our free BMI calculator above to confirm your exact BMI and explore your healthy weight range.
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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.
NHS BMI Categories and What They Mean
The NHS recognises five BMI categories to help assess weight and health risk. A BMI of 28 sits in the overweight range, between 25.0 and 29.9. According to NHS guidance, a healthy BMI is 18.5 to 24.9 for most UK adults. However, ethnicity matters — for people of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends lower BMI thresholds because these groups face higher cardiovascular and diabetes risk at the same BMI levels.
- Healthy weight (18.5–24.9): lowest health risk
- Overweight (25.0–29.9): increased health risk — your BMI of 28 is here
- Obese Class I (30.0–34.9): higher health risk
- Obese Class II (35.0–39.9): very high health risk
- Severely obese (40.0+): very high health risk
BMI is a useful screening tool, but it has important limitations — it doesn't distinguish muscle from fat, doesn't account for where fat is stored (waist circumference matters), and may not be accurate for very muscular individuals or elderly people.
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.
NHS Weight Management and When to Seek Support
If you have a BMI of 28, the NHS recommends considering lifestyle changes to move into the healthy range. This typically involves a balanced diet and regular physical activity. The NHS weight management pathway starts with self-help and digital support (Tier 1), progressing to primary care intervention (Tier 2) if needed. Speak to your GP if you'd like support with weight management, especially if you have weight-related health conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
- Your GP can assess your individual health risks
- Free NHS support programmes are available in many areas
- Prescription weight management medicines may be considered at Tier 3 specialist services for eligible individuals
- Even a 5–10% reduction in body weight can improve blood pressure and blood sugar control
Use our free weight converter to understand your weight in different units, and track progress with our free progress tracker as you work towards a healthier BMI.
- 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 obese?
No. According to NHS classifications, a BMI of 28 is overweight, not obese. The obesity threshold starts at BMI 30.0. However, being overweight does increase health risks compared to the healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9), so weight management may be beneficial.
What's the healthy weight range for my height if my BMI is 28?
To find your healthy weight range, use our free BMI calculator on this page — it will show you the exact weight range for your height that corresponds to a healthy BMI (18.5–24.9). This varies significantly depending on your height in centimetres.
Should I lose weight if my BMI is 28?
Not necessarily. Your GP can advise based on your individual health. If you have weight-related health conditions (high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea), weight loss may be recommended. If you're fit and have no health concerns, your GP may suggest maintaining your current weight.
How much weight would I need to lose to reach a healthy BMI?
This depends on your height. Use the weight converter on this page to switch between units, then use our BMI calculator to determine your target healthy weight range. As a guide, losing 0.5–1 kg per week is considered safe and sustainable weight loss.
Can I access NHS weight loss support with a BMI of 28?
Yes. If you have weight-related health conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnoea), you may be eligible for NHS specialist weight management support. Speak to your GP for a referral. Availability and waiting times vary by region.
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.