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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Healthy Weight for 5ft 8in Men: BMI and Weight Range
For an adult man who is 5ft 8in (173cm) tall, a healthy weight falls between approximately 55kg and 74kg (8st 8lbs to 11st 8lbs) according to NHS BMI guidelines. This range corresponds to a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9, which is the NHS standard for healthy weight in adults. Your actual ideal weight within this range depends on your frame size, muscle mass, and individual health profile. Use our free BMI calculator above to find your personal BMI and see where you fall within the healthy weight spectrum.
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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.
Healthy Weight Range for 5ft 8in Men: The BMI Framework
According to NHS guidelines, the healthy BMI range for adults is 18.5 to 24.9. For a man who is 5ft 8in (173cm) tall, this translates to a healthy weight range of approximately 55kg to 74kg (or 8 stone 8 pounds to 11 stone 8 pounds in UK measurements).
- Lower boundary: 55kg (8st 8lbs) — BMI of 18.5
- Mid-range: 64kg (10st 1lb) — BMI of 21.4
- Upper boundary: 74kg (11st 8lbs) — BMI of 24.9
The average UK adult man weighs approximately 85.7kg, which means many men at 5ft 8in would fall into the overweight or obese BMI category. However, BMI is a screening tool only — it does not account for muscle mass, bone density, or where fat is stored. A man with significant muscle development may have a higher BMI but lower body fat percentage than his BMI suggests. Your GP can provide personalised guidance about what constitutes a healthy weight for your individual circumstances.
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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.
Using the BMI Calculator for Your Personal Healthy Weight
The most accurate way to determine your personal healthy weight range is to use our free BMI calculator above, which will instantly show you your current BMI category and the healthy weight range for your height. Simply enter your height (173cm or 5ft 8in) and your current weight in kg or stone, and the calculator will display whether you fall into the healthy, overweight, or obese range according to NHS criteria.
If your current weight falls outside the healthy range, remember that sustainable weight loss is typically around 0.5–1kg per week. You can also use our free weight converter to easily switch between kg and stone as you track your progress, and our progress tracker tool helps you log weight changes over time for motivation and accountability.
- 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 the exact healthy weight for a 5ft 8in man?
There is no single "exact" healthy weight — it's a range. According to NHS BMI guidelines, a 5ft 8in man should aim for 55kg to 74kg (8st 8lbs to 11st 8lbs). Your ideal weight within this range depends on frame size, muscle mass, and individual health. A GP can provide personalised advice for your circumstances.
Is 70kg a healthy weight for a 5ft 8in male?
Yes, 70kg (11st) is within the healthy weight range for a 5ft 8in man. This gives a BMI of approximately 23.4, which falls comfortably in the NHS healthy range of 18.5 to 24.9. However, only you and your GP can determine if this specific weight is right for your health profile.
How do I calculate my BMI if I'm 5ft 8in?
Use the free BMI calculator on this page — enter 173cm (or 5ft 8in) as your height and your weight in kg or stone, and the calculator will instantly show your BMI and category. Alternatively, the formula is: weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². For 173cm, this is: weight ÷ 2.99.
What's the average weight for UK men at 5ft 8in?
The average UK adult man weighs approximately 85.7kg, but this varies widely by height and frame size. At 5ft 8in, many UK men weigh above the NHS healthy range, which is why weight management and health screening are important. Your GP can advise on healthy targets for you.
Should I aim for the lower or upper end of the healthy weight range?
Neither is inherently "better" — it depends on your frame size, muscle mass, fitness level, and personal health goals. A man with a larger frame or significant muscle development might be healthy at the upper end (74kg), while someone with a smaller frame might be healthier at the lower end (55kg). Discuss your personal target with your GP.
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.