What BMI is Considered Overweight in the UK?
According to NHS guidelines, a BMI of 25.0 or above is classified as overweight for most UK adults of white European heritage. A BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 is the overweight range, while a BMI of 30.0 or above is classified as obese. These thresholds have been used by the NHS and the World Health Organisation (WHO) since the late 1990s and remain the standard clinical classification used by GPs and healthcare professionals across the UK.
Being in the overweight range does not mean you are unhealthy or that illness is inevitable — it means your weight is above the level at which statistical health risk is lowest, and that preventative action is advisable. It is also worth noting that the overweight range covers a broad spectrum: someone at BMI 25.1 faces a very different level of health risk compared to someone at BMI 29.8, even though both are classified as "overweight."
Quick answer: Overweight in the UK = BMI 25 to 29.9. Obese = BMI 30 and above. For South Asian, Chinese, and Black African/Caribbean adults, the NHS uses a lower threshold — overweight starts at BMI 23.
Overweight BMI by Height — What Does It Mean in Stones and Kilograms?
Because BMI is calculated from both height and weight, the weight at which you become "overweight" depends entirely on your height. Here are some practical examples using common UK heights to illustrate where the overweight threshold falls:
| Height | Max Healthy Weight | Overweight From | Obese From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5ft 0in (152cm) | 42.9kg (6st 10lb) | 57.9kg (9st 2lb) | 69.5kg (10st 13lb) |
| 5ft 4in (163cm) | 66.2kg (10st 6lb) | 66.5kg (10st 7lb) | 79.9kg (12st 8lb) |
| 5ft 6in (168cm) | 70.3kg (11st 1lb) | 70.6kg (11st 1lb) | 84.7kg (13st 5lb) |
| 5ft 8in (173cm) | 74.6kg (11st 10lb) | 74.8kg (11st 11lb) | 89.8kg (14st 2lb) |
| 5ft 10in (178cm) | 79.1kg (12st 6lb) | 79.4kg (12st 7lb) | 95.3kg (15st 0lb) |
| 6ft 0in (183cm) | 83.5kg (13st 2lb) | 83.8kg (13st 3lb) | 100.6kg (15st 12lb) |
Is BMI 26 Overweight in the UK?
Yes, a BMI of 26 falls in the overweight range (25.0–29.9) according to NHS guidelines. However, the health risk associated with a BMI of 26 is relatively modest compared to higher values within the overweight range or the obese range. At BMI 26, the most useful additional measure is waist circumference: a waist above 94cm for men or 80cm for women indicates significantly elevated risk even at a modest overweight BMI like 26, whereas a waist below these thresholds at BMI 26 represents a much lower overall risk profile.
People often ask whether a BMI of exactly 25 or 26 requires medical intervention. The NHS does not set a rigid threshold for when someone must seek treatment — rather, BMI 25 is the level at which the NHS recommends beginning to take preventative lifestyle action and to be more mindful of diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors. A GP visit is recommended if you are consistently in the overweight range and concerned about associated health risks.
How Much Weight Do I Need to Lose to Stop Being Overweight?
The weight you need to lose to reach a healthy BMI (below 25.0) depends on your current weight and height. The calculation is straightforward: your target weight for a BMI of just under 25 is 24.9 × height (m)².
For example, someone who is 5ft 8in (1.73m) tall and currently weighs 13 stone (82.6kg) has a BMI of 27.6. Their target weight to reach BMI 24.9 would be 24.9 × (1.73²) = 24.9 × 2.9929 = 74.5kg (11 stone 10 lbs). They would need to lose approximately 8.1kg (approximately 1 stone 3 lbs) to reach a healthy BMI.
Use the calculator at the top of this page to find your personal target weight. The calculator also shows you how much weight you would need to lose to move from your current BMI to a healthy BMI below 25.
Important context: Even if you cannot reach a BMI below 25, losing just 5% of your body weight provides meaningful health benefits. For someone weighing 14 stone (88.9kg), 5% weight loss is just under 4.5kg (10 lbs). Research shows that a 5–10% reduction in body weight reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 58% in high-risk individuals.
The Average UK Adult Is Overweight
It is important to understand that being overweight is statistically very common in the UK — in fact, the average BMI for UK adults is in the overweight range. According to NHS England Health Survey data, the average BMI for adult men in England is approximately 27.5, and for women approximately 27.1 — both in the overweight category (25–29.9).
This means that roughly 60% of UK adults are in the overweight or obese category combined. The proportion has been increasing steadily since the 1990s, driven by changes in food environments, working patterns, and activity levels. However, being statistically average does not mean being without health risk. The NHS continues to define a healthy BMI as 18.5 to 24.9 regardless of population trends.
Overweight vs Obese — What Is the Difference?
Overweight (BMI 25–29.9) and obese (BMI 30 and above) are adjacent but distinct NHS classifications with different health implications and different recommended responses.
The overweight range represents a moderate increase in health risk above the healthy BMI range. For most people in the overweight range, the NHS recommends lifestyle changes — improved diet, increased physical activity, and perhaps structured NHS weight management support — rather than medical intervention.
Obesity (BMI 30 and above) represents a higher level of health risk and typically warrants a GP assessment. NHS obesity management pathways include Tier 2 (community weight management services with dietitian and behaviour change support), Tier 3 (specialist clinical services for complex obesity), medication (such as Orlistat or Wegovy/semaglutide, where clinically appropriate), and in selected cases, bariatric surgery. See our dedicated content about each category for more information.
What Should You Do If Your BMI is Overweight?
If your BMI falls in the overweight range (25–29.9), here are the evidence-based steps the NHS recommends:
1. Set a Realistic Weight Loss Target
Aim for a loss of 0.5 to 1 kilogram per week — achievable through a calorie deficit of 500–1,000 calories per day. Rapid weight loss through very low calorie diets is not recommended for most people as it tends to result in loss of muscle mass as well as fat, and the weight is often regained quickly once normal eating resumes. Sustainable, gradual loss of body fat is more effective long-term.
2. Use NHS Better Health Resources
The NHS Better Health campaign (nhs.uk/better-health) offers a free 12-week weight loss plan that guides you through manageable weekly changes to diet and activity. It also includes the free NHS Weight Loss app (available on iOS and Android), which tracks calories, physical activity, and progress. These resources are specifically designed for UK adults and are endorsed by NHS England.
3. Focus on Diet Quality First
Rather than rigid calorie counting initially, the NHS recommends following the Eatwell Guide — basing meals on starchy wholegrains and vegetables, including 5 portions of fruit and vegetables daily, choosing lean proteins, and limiting ultra-processed foods, added sugars, saturated fat, and alcohol. Research shows that diet quality has a greater long-term impact on weight management than exercise alone.
4. Increase Physical Activity Progressively
The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week for adults — brisk walking, swimming, cycling, or any activity that raises your heart rate. Strength training on two or more days per week helps preserve muscle mass during weight loss and improves metabolism. Start small and increase gradually — even 10–15 minutes of brisk walking daily has measurable health benefits for someone currently sedentary.
5. Speak to Your GP
If lifestyle changes alone are not producing results after 3–6 months, speak to your GP. They can check for underlying conditions that may be contributing (such as hypothyroidism or PCOS), refer you to free NHS Tier 2 weight management services, and discuss medication if appropriate. Orlistat (a fat absorption blocker) is available on NHS prescription for adults with a BMI of 28 or above who have a weight-related health condition, and BMI 30 or above without additional conditions. Wegovy (semaglutide) is now available through some NHS pathways for patients with BMI 30 and a related condition.
The most important thing to remember: Weight loss does not need to be dramatic to be beneficial. Losing just 5% of your body weight — roughly half a stone for someone weighing 14 stone — can meaningfully reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and reduce inflammation. Focus on sustainable progress, not perfection.