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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Weight Scale for Females — Understanding Healthy Weight in the UK
A weight scale is a simple tool for tracking body weight, but understanding what your weight means for your health is equally important. In the UK, we use kilograms, stone, and pounds to measure weight, and healthy weight ranges vary based on height, age, and individual health factors. This guide explains how to interpret weight measurements, what constitutes a healthy weight, and how to use weight monitoring as part of a broader health management strategy aligned with NHS guidance.
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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.
How to Interpret Weight Measurements for Women
Weight alone doesn't tell the whole story about health. A weight scale shows your total body weight in kilograms (kg), stone, or pounds (lbs), but this includes muscle, bone, organs, water, and fat. Two women of the same weight and height can have very different body compositions and health outcomes.
The NHS recommends using BMI (Body Mass Index) alongside weight measurements to get a clearer health picture. BMI is calculated using your weight and height together, giving a more meaningful indicator than weight alone. You can calculate your personal BMI instantly using our free BMI calculator above. For women aged 18 and over, a healthy BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.9 according to NHS guidelines.
It's also important to note that waist circumference matters. For women, a waist measurement over 80cm (31.5 inches) indicates increased health risk, and over 88cm (34.5 inches) indicates high risk, regardless of BMI. This is because where your body carries fat affects your cardiovascular and metabolic health more than total weight alone.
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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.
Healthy Weight Ranges and Weight Management Strategies
Healthy weight varies significantly between individuals based on height, age, genetics, muscle mass, and overall health status. Rather than aiming for a specific number on the scale, focus on a healthy weight range for your height. Use our free weight converter above to switch between kg, stone, and pounds, then use the BMI calculator to find your healthy weight range.
Sustainable weight management typically involves a modest calorie deficit of around 500 kcal per day, which supports losing approximately 0.5 to 1 kg per week — the NHS-recommended safe rate. This combines dietary changes with increased physical activity. If you're interested in exploring prescription weight loss options, our GLP-1 weight loss calculator can help you understand potential outcomes with evidence-based medications like Mounjaro or Wegovy, which may support weight management when used 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 is a healthy weight for a woman in the UK?
A healthy weight depends on your height and is best assessed using BMI. For most UK adults, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy. However, women of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage should use lower thresholds (18.5 to 22.9). Your GP can advise on a healthy range for your individual circumstances.
How often should I weigh myself?
The NHS suggests weighing yourself once or twice per week at the same time of day, ideally in the morning, to track trends rather than daily fluctuations. Weight naturally varies by 1–2 kg throughout the day due to water retention, meals, and other factors. Use our free progress tracker to log your weight over time and identify patterns.
Is weight the only measure of health for women?
No. Weight is just one indicator. Waist circumference, fitness level, blood pressure, and how you feel are equally important. A woman with a higher weight but excellent fitness and no health conditions may be healthier than someone lighter with poor cardiovascular fitness. Focus on overall wellness, not scale numbers alone.
What does BMI mean and why do doctors use it?
BMI (Body Mass Index) is calculated as weight (kg) divided by height (metres) squared. The NHS uses BMI as a screening tool because it correlates with body fat and health risk in most adults. However, BMI has limitations — it doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletes may have a high BMI despite low body fat. Always discuss your BMI with your GP for personalised health advice.
Can I use a weight scale to assess weight loss on Wegovy or Mounjaro?
Yes, weight scales are useful for tracking progress with prescription weight management medications. However, also track waist circumference and how clothes fit, as body composition changes matter too. Our GLP-1 weight loss calculator can help you estimate potential progress with these medications, and our progress tracker lets you log weight changes alongside other health markers over time.
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.