If you’re overweight, losing weight has many health benefits. It might help reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.
If you are overweight, even losing a few pounds can make a big difference to your health. A healthy diet should be matched with taking more physical exercise. Read our advice on how to increase your physical activity.
Find out if you’re a healthy weight
Body mass index (BMI) is a measurement that works out if you’re a healthy weight for your height.
You’ll need your height and weight to calculate your BMI.
It’s important to use the right calculator for adults (aged 18 and over) or children and teenagers (aged between 2 and 17).
Use the BMI healthy weight calculatorGo online for NHS advice
NHS Live Well
The NHS Live Well website has information about managing your weight including understanding calories and food labels and tips for losing weight.
Find weight management information on the NHS Live Well websiteNHS Better Health
The NHS Better Health website has lots of advice and information on how to lose weight including quizzes and other tools, a free NHS weight loss plan app, details of free and paid-for weight-loss programmes.
Go to the NHS Better Health website for weight loss help and adviceNHS Healthier Families
The NHS Healthier Families website has information about healthy eating including using a NHS food scanner app to make healthier food swaps that cut down on sugar, fat and salt in your family’s diet
Go to the Heathier Families website for healthy eating adviceGetting help with your weight
If you need help managing your weight speak to your GP surgery. Depending on the help you need, you might be able to refer yourself directly to some services that can help you, without seeing a GP.
To find out if there are any services in your area:
- ask the reception staff at your GP surgery
- check your GP surgery’s website
- search online for NHS weight management services near you