BMI weight loss calculator

Working out your BMI using the ZAVA BMI Weight Loss Calculator is simple and straightforward. Follow these steps to make the most of its features:

1. Enter your weight and height: Provide your most up-to-date weight and height measurements accurately (ideally from within the last few days) in the designated fields.
2. Calculate your BMI: Based on the information you provided, the calculator will instantly calculate your BMI.
3. Check your weight category: Your BMI result will say whether you are ‘underweight’, ‘normal weight’, ‘overweight’, or ‘obese’, giving you an idea of your current weight status.
4. Track your progress: It's a good idea to keep track of your progress with the ZAVA BMI Weight Loss Calculator and make any necessary adjustments to your goals along the way.

It's important to seek personalised advice and support from healthcare professionals throughout your weight loss process.

BMI stands for body mass index which is a broad way to categorise whether you are at a healthy weight, underweight, or overweight. To calculate your BMI, all you need to know is your weight and height. BMI can be used to determine potential health risks from excess body fat. Knowing your BMI can help to:

1. Identify potential health risks: Your BMI can be used to indicate the likelihood of developing illnesses that are associated with higher levels of body fat, including:

• heart disease
• hypertension
• type 2 diabetes
• gallstones
• respiratory issues
• specific forms of cancer

The higher your BMI, the higher the risk for these diseases.

2. Track your health trends over time: Measuring your BMI can help you track changes in your health over time. In fact, reducing your BMI by 5% of total body weight has been proven to have significant health benefits.

To calculate your BMI, divide your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters. Alternatively, you can use an online BMI calculator like ZAVA’s BMI calculator for convenience.

What is a healthy BMI?

Factors like age and sex can impact your BMI but here is a general overview of what is a healthy BMI versus an unhealthy BMI for an adult according to the NHS:

What should my BMI be?

Your BMI should be within the healthy range which is between 18.5 and 24.9 according to general NHS guidelines, however other factors such as age and sex may mean these parameters do not apply to you. BMI does not take into account body composition, muscle, fat, and bone density. If you are uncertain about your BMI results and what they mean, contact your doctor.

You are considered obese if you have a BMI of 30 or higher. This puts you at a higher risk of weight-related medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

If your BMI is over 40, you are considered to be morbidly obese. This indicates a higher level of health risks associated with obesity. Recognising your BMI can help you assess the severity of your weight condition and the importance of weight loss for your overall wellbeing.

If you're having trouble reaching your weight loss goals with lifestyle changes alone, weight loss pills may be worth considering. These medications are usually recommended for people with a BMI above a certain level.

What BMI do you need for Mounjaro?

To be eligible for treatment with Mounjaro if you were to request it with ZAVA, the criteria is that you should have a BMI of:

• 30 or higher (obesity)
• 27 to 30 and a weight-related health condition like high cholesterol, heart problems, high blood pressure, or diabetes

On the NHS, the prescribing criteria for Mounjaro and what BMI you need is slightly higher. This is to make sure that patients who need the treatment most have access to it, as the NHS has a limited capacity.

To be eligible to receive treatment for weight loss with Mounjaro on the NHS, you generally need a BMI of 35 or higher and at least one weight-related health problem. If you are of South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean origin you would need a BMI of 32.5 due to other risk factors.

What BMI do you need for Ozempic?

In order to use Ozempic for weight loss treatment, people usually need to have a BMI of 30 or higher, which is considered the obesity category. This is if you were to get Ozempic prescribed ‘off-label’, meaning the medication is used for a treatment that is not approved for but that your doctor thinks will benefit your health. It’s difficult to get Ozempic for weight loss as an off-label treatment as other approved medications (like Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Nevolat) are proven to be more effective and are specifically for weight loss. Ozempic is actually a type 2 diabetes medication used to treat blood sugar levels and ZAVA does not prescribe it off-label.

Ozempic is injected and it helps with weight management by decreasing appetite and increasing the feeling of fullness. If you want to know more about Ozempic and how effective it is for weight loss, you can check out our dedicated page about Ozempic.

What BMI do you need for Nevolat or Saxenda (liraglutide)?

Saxenda or Nevolat (liraglutide) may be prescribed to you as a weight loss medication from ZAVA if you have:

• a BMI of 30 or higher, which indicates that you are in the obese category
• weight-related health conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol, and a BMI of 27 or higher

Saxenda and Nevolat pens work by reducing your appetite, making you feel full, and ultimately leading to weight loss by reducing your calorie intake. To learn more about Saxenda and how effective it can be as a weight loss treatment, you can visit ZAVA's dedicated page on Saxenda (long-term out of stock), or visit our page on Nevolat (Saxenda replacement containing the same ingredient) for more information.

It's important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if weight loss medication such as Saxenda or Nevolat is appropriate for you. Your BMI, medical history, and overall health will be taken into consideration to determine eligibility. Note that eligibility criteria and BMI requirements may differ depending on the medication and regulations in your country.

What BMI do you need for Wegovy?

You can be eligible for treatment of Wegovy for weight loss if you have a BMI of:

• 30 or higher (obesity category)
• 27 to 30 (overweight category) and at least 1 weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol

Wegovy can be prescribed to children who are 12 years or older and have a BMI in the 95th percentile or higher, indicating obesity. ZAVA does not prescribe Wegovy to anyone under the age of 18.

For best results, you should take Wegovy alongside a meal plan that is lower in calories and increase your physical activity. To learn more about how Wegovy aids in weight loss, you can visit our page on Wegovy.

What BMI do you need for orlistat (Xenical)?

Orlistat and its branded version, Xenical are a weight loss treatment which come in the form of oral tablets. They contain the active ingredient orlistat which works to decrease the amount of fat that your body absorbs when you eat. It's most effective when taken alongside lifestyle changes to your diet and following a regular exercise routine. Weight loss pills available at ZAVA include alli, Xenical, and orlistat.

You may be eligible to take orlistat or Xenical if you have a BMI of:

• 30 or above (obesity category)
• 28 to 30 and have other weight related health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol

These BMI requirements are the same for ZAVA and the NHS, although on the NHS orlistat will only be considered if you’ve made a significant effort to lose weight through diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes.

A lower dosage over-the-counter version to Xenical and orlistat is alli which has the same eligibility criteria, but you would still need a consultation with a pharmacist to receive treatment for alli. For more information on using orlistat, consult with a healthcare professional and read our pages on orlistat and Xenical.

What is BMI age?

BMI age refers to the use of BMI calculations specific to age groups, such as paediatric BMI charts. These charts account for normal variations in BMI among children and adolescents based on their age and sex.

What is a normal BMI?

A normal BMI typically falls within the range of 18.5 to 24.9. This range is generally associated with a healthy weight and lower risk of weight-related health conditions.

Is BMI my body fat?

No, BMI is not a direct measure of body fat. It’s a calculation based on weight and height that provides an estimate of body mass. While BMI can be correlated with body fat, it does not differentiate between fat, muscle, or bone mass.

Does BMI depend on gender?

BMI calculations do not specifically depend on gender. However, there may be slight variations in BMI charts or reference ranges for males and females, usually during the growth and development stages.

Women typically have a higher body fat percentage than men, even with the same BMI, whereas men carry more muscle mass. Although BMI calculates a broad overview of what is a healthy weight, this can vary from person to person.

What is a healthy BMI for a woman?

A healthy BMI for women typically falls between 18.5 and 24.9, which is the parameters for a healthy weight for adults according to the NHS.

What is a healthy BMI for a man?

A healthy BMI for a man is usually between 18.5 and 24.9. This is the same for both men and women and are the parameters for a healthy weight in adults according to NHS guidelines.