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's the ideal weight for women 5'2"?
For a woman who is 5'2" (157cm), the ideal body weight according to NHS guidelines falls between approximately 47kg and 63kg (7 stone 6lbs to 9 stone 13lbs). This healthy weight range is based on a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9, which the NHS recognises as the standard for good health. However, your ideal weight depends on several individual factors including muscle mass, bone density, age, and ethnicity. Use our free BMI calculator to find your personal healthy weight range, and remember that these figures are guidelines rather than exact targets.
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.
Healthy weight range for 5'2" women using NHS BMI guidelines
The healthy weight range for a woman 5'2" (157cm) is approximately 47–63kg (7st 6lbs to 9st 13lbs), based on NHS BMI categories. This range assumes a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9, which is the standard healthy weight classification for UK adults.
- Lower boundary (BMI 18.5): 47kg (7st 6lbs) — the minimum healthy weight
- Upper boundary (BMI 24.9): 63kg (9st 13lbs) — the upper limit of healthy weight
- Midpoint: approximately 55kg (8st 9lbs) — a central reference point
These figures are calculated using the formula: healthy weight = height (m)² × BMI threshold. For women of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends slightly lower thresholds — a BMI of 18.5 to 22.9 — which would lower the upper healthy weight to approximately 58kg (9st 2lbs). Check your personal healthy weight calculator results above for your specific BMI.
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.
Factors that affect your individual ideal weight
Your ideal weight is not one fixed number — it varies based on several personal factors. Muscle mass is the primary variable: muscle weighs more than fat, so a woman with significant lean muscle may weigh more than the healthy range but still be in excellent health. Age also matters; muscle naturally decreases with age, which affects ideal weight. Bone density, frame size (small, medium, or large), and ethnicity all influence where within the healthy range suits you best.
Rather than targeting a specific weight, focus on how you feel, your energy levels, and your health markers such as blood pressure and blood sugar. Use our free weight converter to track your weight in your preferred units (kg, stone, or lbs), and our progress tracker to monitor changes over time. Your GP can provide personalised guidance on what weight range is ideal specifically for you.
- 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's the average weight for women in the UK?
According to ONS data, the average UK adult woman weighs approximately 71.6kg (11st 3lbs). However, average weight is not the same as ideal or healthy weight — many UK adults are overweight or obese. The healthy weight range is what the NHS recommends based on BMI, not population average.
Is 5'2" considered short for a woman?
At 5'2" (157cm), you're slightly below the UK average for adult women, which is approximately 5'3.5" (161.6cm). Height is determined by genetics and early nutrition. Your height doesn't affect your ideal weight range — only the BMI calculation does.
How do I know if I'm at a healthy weight?
Use your BMI as a first check — calculate it using our free BMI calculator above. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 indicates healthy weight for most adults. However, also consider how you feel, your energy levels, and health markers like blood pressure. Your GP can assess whether your weight is healthy for you personally.
Should I aim for the lower or upper end of the healthy weight range?
This depends on your individual factors. Women with more muscle mass may naturally sit toward the upper end, whilst those with lower muscle mass may sit lower. Rather than chasing a specific number, aim for the range that feels sustainable, makes you feel energetic, and aligns with your GP's guidance.
Does ethnicity affect ideal weight for my height?
Yes — the NHS recognises that people of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean heritage have higher health risks at lower BMI levels. For these groups, the healthy BMI range is 18.5–22.9 rather than 18.5–24.9, which means the ideal weight for 5'2" would be lower — approximately 47–58kg instead of 47–63kg.
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.