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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What Is 5'8" in UK Health Context?
5'8" (five foot eight inches) is approximately 173 centimetres or 1.73 metres — a height that's close to the average UK adult male height of 175.3 cm. Whether you're checking your own height, tracking health metrics, or working out a healthy weight for this height, understanding how it translates to metric measurements is essential for NHS guidance and health assessment. This UK health guide explains the conversion and provides context for BMI and healthy weight at this height.
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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.
Height Conversion and UK Context
5'8" converts to 173 cm or 1.73 metres — the standard metric measurement used by the NHS and throughout the UK health system. This height is slightly below the UK average for adult men (175.3 cm) and well above the UK average for adult women (161.6 cm), making it a common reference point for both sexes.
- 5 feet = approximately 152.4 cm
- 8 inches = approximately 20.3 cm
- Total: 152.4 + 20.3 = 172.7 cm (rounded to 173 cm)
For health assessments, your GP and NHS services use centimetres and metres. Understanding your height in metric is important when calculating BMI, checking healthy weight ranges, and discussing health with your healthcare provider. Use our free weight converter and BMI calculator to see how your current weight translates across different measurement systems and where your BMI falls according to NHS guidelines.
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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 Range at 5'8"
For an adult who is 5'8" (173 cm), the healthy weight range according to NHS BMI guidelines is approximately 55 kg to 75 kg (8st 10lbs to 11st 10lbs). This assumes a healthy BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 — the standard range for reduced health risk.
However, for adults of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends lower thresholds due to higher health risks at lower BMI levels. For these groups, the healthy upper BMI limit is 22.9 rather than 24.9, which would give a healthy weight range of approximately 55 kg to 69 kg. Your individual healthy weight also depends on muscle mass, frame size, and medical history — your GP can provide personalised guidance. Calculate your own BMI and healthy weight range using our free BMI calculator above.
- 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 5'8" in centimetres?
5'8" equals 173 centimetres (or 1.73 metres). The NHS uses metric measurements, so understanding this conversion is important for health assessments, GP appointments, and calculating BMI accurately.
Is 5'8" tall or average height?
5'8" is close to average UK height. For men, the UK average is approximately 175.3 cm (5ft 9in), so 5'8" is slightly below average. For women, the UK average is 161.6 cm (5ft 3.5in), making 5'8" noticeably taller than average.
What's a healthy weight for someone 5'8" in the UK?
According to NHS BMI guidelines, a healthy weight at 5'8" is approximately 55 kg to 75 kg (8st 10lbs to 11st 10lbs). For adults of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the upper limit is lower at approximately 69 kg due to higher health risks at standard BMI thresholds.
How do I convert 5'8" to stone and pounds?
5'8" is a height measurement (not weight). To convert heights between imperial and metric, remember: 5 feet = 152.4 cm and 8 inches = 20.3 cm, totalling 173 cm. For weight conversions, use our free weight converter tool.
What BMI should I aim for at 5'8"?
Aim for a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 according to NHS guidelines. At 5'8", this corresponds to a weight of 55–75 kg. Lower thresholds apply for certain ethnic groups. Use our free BMI calculator to check your personal BMI and get context for your height and weight.
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