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
Daily Calorie Needs for Women in the UK
Most UK women need between 1,800 and 2,200 calories per day to maintain their current weight, though this varies significantly based on age, height, weight, and activity level. The NHS recommends a balanced approach to nutrition rather than strict calorie counting, focusing on whole foods, portion control, and regular physical activity. Understanding your individual calorie needs is an important part of nhs health advice for sustainable weight management and long-term 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.
UK Guidance on Female Calorie Requirements
The NHS and UK health information resources suggest that average calorie needs for women differ based on several factors. Age is significant: women aged 18–50 typically need around 2,000 calories daily, while women over 50 often need 1,800 calories or fewer due to natural changes in metabolism and muscle mass. Activity level matters greatly: sedentary women require fewer calories than those who exercise regularly. The UK health guide from NHS recommends using these figures as a starting point rather than a fixed target.
- Lightly active women (light exercise 1–3 days/week): add 300–500 calories to baseline
- Moderately active women (exercise 3–5 days/week): add 500–750 calories
- Very active women (exercise 6–7 days/week): add 750–1,000 calories
Your GP can provide personalised nhs guidance if you have specific health conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are managing a medical condition affecting metabolism.
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.
Using Calorie Information for Healthy Weight Management
For weight loss, most NHS guidance suggests creating a calorie deficit of 300–500 calories per day, which typically results in losing approximately 0.5 kg per week — a sustainable, healthy weight management pace. This is best achieved through a combination of modest dietary changes and increased physical activity rather than extreme restriction. Use our free BMI calculator above to check whether your current weight falls within a healthy range for your height, then speak with your GP about an appropriate calorie target if you're considering dietary changes.
For personalised advice on healthy weight uk standards specific to your situation, our free weight converter and BMI calculator can help you understand your current health position and support conversations with your healthcare provider.
- 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.
How many calories should a typical UK woman eat per day?
The NHS suggests most women need 1,800–2,200 calories daily, depending on age, height, activity level, and metabolism. Women aged 18–50 typically need around 2,000, while those over 50 often need 1,800 or less. Your GP can give personalised guidance based on your individual circumstances.
Does calorie need change with age for women?
Yes, significantly. As women age, especially after menopause, metabolism typically slows due to reduced muscle mass and hormonal changes. Women over 50 generally need fewer calories than younger women with the same activity level. NHS health advice recommends discussing age-specific nutrition with your GP.
How do I calculate my personal calorie needs?
Start with the average for your age (around 2,000 for women 18–50), then adjust based on activity level. Sedentary: no adjustment. Light activity: add 300–500 calories. Moderate: add 500–750. Very active: add 750–1,000. Your GP or a registered dietitian can provide a more precise calculation.
Is calorie counting recommended by the NHS?
The NHS emphasises balanced nutrition and portion control over strict calorie counting. Focus on whole foods, plenty of vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Calorie awareness can be helpful for weight management, but sustainable lifestyle change is more important than numbers alone.
What if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Calorie needs increase significantly during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The NHS recommends an extra 200 calories daily in the third trimester and 300–500 extra calories while breastfeeding. Always consult your GP or midwife for personalised guidance during pregnancy and postpartum.
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.