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 Table for Women — NHS Categories and Healthy Weight Ranges
A BMI table for women helps you understand where your weight sits according to NHS health guidelines. This guide shows you the standard BMI ranges for adult women in the UK, explains what each category means, and when you might want to speak to your GP about your weight. BMI is a useful screening tool, but it has important limitations — 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 instantly, and then explore what that means for your health using the NHS categories below.
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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 for Women — What the Numbers Mean
The NHS uses five standard BMI categories to classify adult weight. These apply to women aged 18 and over:
- Underweight: BMI below 18.5 — may indicate you need to gain weight for health
- Healthy weight: BMI 18.5–24.9 — the target range for most adults according to NHS guidance
- Overweight: BMI 25.0–29.9 — increased health risks, particularly if combined with other risk factors
- Obese (Class I): BMI 30.0–34.9 — higher risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions
- Obese (Class II): BMI 35.0–39.9 — substantially elevated health risks
- Severely obese (Class III): BMI 40.0 and above — significant health risks requiring medical support
However, BMI has important limitations. The BMI formula treats all weight equally — it cannot distinguish between muscle and fat. Athletes or women with higher muscle mass may have a high BMI but low body fat. Additionally, waist circumference matters. The NHS recommends that women maintain a waist measurement below 80cm (31.5 inches) for lower health risk, with 88cm (34.5 inches) as a threshold for increased risk.
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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.
NHS Weight Management Support — When to Seek Help
If your BMI falls in the overweight or obese range, the NHS offers a structured weight management pathway. Start with Tier 1 support: speak to your GP, use free NHS resources like the NHS Weight Loss Plan, or join community weight management programmes. Your GP can assess your individual health and offer personalised advice. For women with a BMI of 30 or above, or 25–29.9 with weight-related health conditions (such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea), you may be eligible for Tier 2 or Tier 3 specialist support. This may include prescription weight loss treatment, which is available through NHS specialist services in some areas. Try our free weight loss calculator to explore what sustainable weight loss might look like alongside lifestyle changes.
- 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 BMI range should women aim for according to the NHS?
The NHS recommends a healthy BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 for adult women. This range is associated with the lowest health risks. However, for women of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends slightly lower thresholds — a healthy range of 18.5 to 22.9. These lower thresholds apply because these groups face higher cardiovascular and diabetes risk at standard BMI levels.
Is BMI accurate for all women?
BMI is a useful screening tool but has limitations. It doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletic women or those with high muscle mass may have a higher BMI without increased health risk. BMI also doesn't account for age, bone density, or where fat is stored. Your GP can provide personalised advice about what your BMI means for your individual health.
What BMI bmi formula does the NHS use?
The NHS uses the standard BMI formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared (kg ÷ m²). For example, a woman weighing 65kg and 1.65m tall would have a BMI of 65 ÷ (1.65 × 1.65) = 23.9, which falls in the healthy weight range. Use our free BMI calculator above for gradual improvement.
When should I contact my GP about my weight?
Contact your GP if your BMI is above 25 and you have weight-related health conditions, if your BMI is 30 or above, or if you've noticed changes in your health related to weight (increased breathlessness, joint pain, or blood sugar changes). Your GP can assess your individual situation and discuss weight management options suited to you.
What nhs bmi support is available if I'm overweight or obese?
The NHS offers a four-tier weight management pathway. Tier 1 includes self-help tools and community programmes. Tier 2 involves your GP. Tier 3 is specialist multidisciplinary weight management services, where prescription medications may be available. Tier 4 is bariatric surgery for severe obesity. Availability varies by region — ask your GP what's available in your area.
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.