Weight management

Being overweight increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. Patients who are underweight are at greater risk of osteoporosis and fertility problems.

Guidelines

  • Energy used = energy consumed
  • Women: around 2000 calories a day and a waist to hip ratio of less than 0.85
  • Men: around 2500 calories a day and a waist to hip ratio of less than 1
  • Body Mass Index of 18.5 – 24.9

To calculate BMI:

Divide weight (kg) by height (m) squared. An online BMI calculator can be found here.

To calculate waist to hip ratio:

Divide the circumference of the narrowest point of the waist by the widest point of the hips and buttocks.

Further information

Hints and tips on how to lose weight, including a 12 week guide to weight loss:

Free 12 week healthy lifestyle interventions funded by Oxfordshire county council with the aim to reduce Oxfordshire residents weight and improve their lifestyle:

Local groups can be found online or at the library:

If you have a BMI of over 30, talk to your GP – they may be able to refer you to weight loss services such as Morelife.

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Page last reviewed: 12 March, 2024