Find out about your weight
Checking your Body Mass Index helps you to know whether you’re a healthy weight for your height.
You can check your BMI yourself using the NHS healthy weight calculator.
Children’s height and weight is routinely measured at school in Reception and Year 6 as part of the National Child Measurement Programme.
For Adults aged 40-74, GPs can provide a free Health Check which includes measuring your BMI.
If you find you are underweight, general information is available on the NHS website, and you are advised to see your GP.
If you find your BMI is higher than it should be, to give yourself the best chance of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, it is recommended that you:
- Understand and follow a healthy eating plan
- Gradually build up your levels of physical activity
- Understand why you want to achieve a healthy weight and set a SMART goal that works for you and your lifestyle. The NHS weight loss plan explains goal-setting
- Find a support network, as this greatly improves your chances of success.
Getting support to lose weight
If you’ve calculated your BMI and want to lose some weight, there is lots of information and advice available on the NHS healthy weight pages, including the NHS Weight Loss Plan.
There are lots of free resources to help families to ‘Eat Well, Move More and Live Longer’, including ideas, recipes and games, available through the Healthier Families website. There is also specific advice for parents of overweight children.
You could also join a local weight loss support group.
Some of these groups offer free membership to 11-15 year olds provided they have consent of a GP or other appropriate health professional and attend with a paying family member who has main responsibility for their meals/ eating habits at home.
We have also commissioned weight management services for residents.
View the services for Adults and adults with learning disabilities