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
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BMI Ranges for Women Explained
If you're wondering where your weight sits on the BMI scale, this guide explains BMI ranges for women according to NHS guidelines. BMI (Body Mass Index) is a useful screening tool that uses your height and weight to estimate whether you're in a healthy weight range. However, it's important to understand that BMI is just one measure of health — it doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or where fat is stored on your body. Use our free BMI calculator above to find your personal BMI, then explore what your result 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.
NHS BMI Categories and What They Mean
The NHS BMI formula divides your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. For women, the healthy BMI range is 18.5 to 24.9, which typically corresponds to a healthy weight for most body frames and heights.
- Underweight: BMI below 18.5 — may indicate insufficient calorie intake or underlying health issues
- Healthy weight: BMI 18.5–24.9 — associated with lower risk of weight-related health conditions
- Overweight: BMI 25.0–29.9 — increased risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease
- Obese Class I: BMI 30.0–34.9 — significantly elevated health risks
- Obese Class II: BMI 35.0–39.9 — very high health risks
- Severely obese: BMI 40.0 and above — serious health complications more likely
For women of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends lower BMI thresholds: healthy weight is 18.5–22.9, and overweight begins at 23.0. This is because these groups face higher cardiovascular and diabetes risk at the same BMI as other populations.
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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 BMI is a helpful starting point, it has important limitations. BMI cannot distinguish between muscle and fat — athletes and people with high muscle mass may have a high BMI but low body fat. BMI also doesn't show where fat is stored; fat around the abdomen is more linked to health risks than fat elsewhere.
Other health measures matter too: waist circumference is a strong predictor of heart disease risk (NHS recommends under 80cm for women). Body composition analysis, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and overall fitness all contribute to your health picture. Your GP can help assess your individual health using these measures together, not just your BMI alone. If you're concerned about your weight, use the BMI calculator on this page alongside the weight converter to understand your measurements in both metric and imperial units.
- 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 a healthy BMI for women in the UK?
According to NHS guidelines, a healthy BMI for most women is between 18.5 and 24.9. However, for women of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean descent, the NHS recommends a lower healthy range of 18.5 to 22.9, as these groups have higher health risks at higher BMI levels.
How do I calculate my BMI?
BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared (BMI = weight ÷ height²). Our free BMI calculator above does this instantly — just enter your weight and height. You can also use the weight converter on this page if you need to switch between stone, pounds, and kilograms.
What BMI is considered overweight for women?
A BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 is classified as overweight by NHS guidelines. Overweight BMI is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. However, BMI alone doesn't determine health — other factors like fitness, diet, and waist measurement matter too.
Why is BMI higher for some women than others at the same weight?
BMI depends on both weight and height. Two women of the same weight but different heights will have different BMIs. Additionally, BMI doesn't account for muscle mass or body composition — a woman with more muscle will have a higher BMI than a woman of the same weight with more fat, even though she may be healthier.
Can I have a high BMI and still be healthy?
Yes, it's possible. BMI is limited because it doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat. Very fit women with high muscle mass may have a "high" BMI but excellent health. Conversely, someone with a "normal" BMI could have poor cardiovascular fitness or unhealthy fat distribution. Your GP can assess your overall health using multiple measures.
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.