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 Does a BMI of 28 Mean?
A BMI of 28 falls into the overweight category according to NHS guidelines. This means your weight is higher than the healthy range for your height, which may increase certain health risks. However, BMI is just one health indicator and doesn't tell the complete story about your health or body composition. Understanding what a BMI of 28 means, alongside other health measures, helps you make informed decisions about your wellbeing. Use our free BMI calculator above to check your personal BMI and see where you fall on the health scale.
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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.
BMI 28 — Category and Health Context
A BMI of 28 is classified as overweight by NHS standards. The NHS BMI categories are:
- Underweight: below 18.5
- Healthy weight: 18.5 to 24.9
- Overweight: 25.0 to 29.9 (your BMI falls here)
- Obese Class I: 30.0 to 34.9
- Obese Class II: 35.0 to 39.9
- Severely obese: 40.0 and above
At a BMI of 28, you're above the healthy range but below obesity. The NHS recommends a healthy BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. For adults of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, lower thresholds apply — the healthy range starts at 18.5 to 22.9.
Being in the overweight category may increase your risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease, though individual risk depends on many factors including age, fitness level, family history, and where fat is stored (visceral fat around the stomach poses greater health risks than fat distributed elsewhere).
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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.
BMI Limitations and Body Composition
BMI is a useful screening tool but has important limitations. It does not distinguish between muscle and fat — athletes or very muscular individuals may have a high BMI but low body fat percentage. For a more complete picture of your health, consider other measures alongside BMI:
- Body fat percentage: Shows how much of your weight is fat versus lean body mass. Healthy ranges vary by age and sex.
- Waist circumference: Measures belly fat; NHS guidance recommends under 94cm for men and 80cm for women to lower health risk.
- Body composition analysis: More detailed than BMI, showing muscle, fat, and bone distribution.
Your GP can assess your overall health picture and recommend whether weight management, increased physical activity, or other lifestyle changes would benefit you. Track your progress using our free progress tracker.
- 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.
Is a BMI of 28 considered obese?
No. A BMI of 28 is classified as overweight, not obese. Obesity (Class I) begins at BMI 30. However, being overweight still carries increased health risks compared to the healthy weight range of 18.5–24.9, so it's worth discussing with your GP.
What weight range would give me a BMI of 28?
Your BMI of 28 depends on your height. For someone 5ft 8in (173cm) tall, a BMI of 28 is approximately 84kg (13 stone 3lbs). For someone 5ft 5in (165cm), it's about 76kg (12 stone). Use our free BMI calculator to find your exact BMI for your height and weight.
Can I have a high BMI but still be healthy?
BMI doesn't account for muscle mass or body fat percentage. Very muscular individuals may have a high BMI but low body fat and good health. However, if you're not particularly muscular, a BMI of 28 does suggest some excess weight that may impact health. Your GP can assess your individual situation.
How much weight would I need to lose to reach a healthy BMI?
To reach BMI 24.9 from 28 depends on your height. Generally, losing 3–5kg brings most people into the healthy range. The NHS recommends losing no more than 0.5–1kg per week for sustainable results. Your GP can advise on safe targets for you.
Should I worry about a BMI of 28?
A BMI of 28 is worth monitoring, especially if you have weight-related health conditions like high blood pressure or prediabetes. Discuss with your GP whether losing weight would reduce your health risks. Even modest weight loss of 5–10% can improve blood pressure and blood sugar control.
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.