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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Where To Measure Your Waist As A Man
Measuring your waist correctly is essential for assessing health risk, even more so than BMI alone. For men in the UK, the standard measurement point is at the midpoint between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone, taken horizontally around your body. This simple measurement takes just a few seconds but provides important health information. NHS guidance emphasises waist circumference as a key indicator of cardiovascular and metabolic health risk. Many men find this measurement more practical than BMI calculations, especially when tracking weight management progress over time.
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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.
How To Measure Your Waist — Step-By-Step
The correct measurement point: Stand upright and locate the midpoint between your lowest rib cage and the top of your hip bone (iliac crest). This is typically around your navel level, though exact position varies slightly between individuals.
How to take the measurement:
- Wear light clothing or no shirt — tight clothing distorts readings
- Stand relaxed with feet shoulder-width apart
- Take a normal breath; measure at the end of exhalation (not while holding your breath)
- Wrap a soft measuring tape horizontally around your waist at the identified point
- Keep the tape snug but not tight — you should fit one finger underneath
- Read the measurement to the nearest 0.5cm
- Take the measurement three times and use the average
The tape should be parallel to the ground, not angled upwards or downwards. Consistency in technique is more important than absolute precision — use the same method each time you measure.
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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.
NHS Waist Circumference Thresholds For Men
According to NHS guidance, waist circumference is a strong indicator of health risk in men:
- Under 94cm (37 inches): Low risk
- 94–102cm (37–40 inches): Increased health risk — your GP may recommend lifestyle changes
- Over 102cm (40 inches): High health risk — associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke
These thresholds apply to men of European heritage. Men of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean backgrounds have different risk profiles — discuss your individual thresholds with your GP. Waist circumference matters because fat stored around the abdomen (visceral fat) poses greater health risks than fat stored elsewhere on the body. Use our free BMI calculator alongside waist measurement for a complete health picture.
- 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 waist circumference more important than BMI?
Both are useful, but they measure different things. BMI indicates overall weight relative to height; waist circumference shows where fat is stored. A high waist circumference can indicate increased health risk even at a healthy BMI. NHS guidance recommends using both measurements together for a complete assessment.
How often should men measure their waist?
Monthly measurements are practical for tracking changes over time. Weekly variation due to water retention and food intake is normal, so monthly averages are more meaningful. If you're actively managing weight, monthly checks help you see progress that might not be visible on the scales.
Why is the measurement point between the rib and hip bone?
This point represents where visceral fat — the dangerous abdominal fat around organs — is most accurately reflected in circumference measurement. It's the standard used by the NHS and clinical research, making your measurement comparable to health guidelines.
Can I measure my waist over clothing?
Tight clothing distorts the reading. Measure directly against skin or wear very light, thin clothing. This ensures accuracy and consistency, especially if you measure regularly as part of weight management tracking.
What if my waist measurement is in the increased-risk range?
First, discuss results with your GP who can assess your individual health picture alongside other factors. Consider using our weight converter and GLP-1 weight loss calculator to explore options. Even a 5–10% reduction in waist circumference can reduce health risks significantly.
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.