Healthy weight

If you are overweight or obese, you have an increased risk of:

• high blood pressure
• heart disease, stroke
• type 2 diabetes 
• other illnesses such as some types of cancer and osteoarthritis

Eating a healthy and balanced diet while also increasing your physical activity can help you safely achieve a healthy weight. There are also a range of other strategies, medications and surgical procedures that can help with weight loss.

Losing a small amount of excess weight can help reduce your risk of developing health problems, and offer additional health benefits.

Check if you are a healthy weight

One way to check whether your weight is healthy is to calculate your body mass index (BMI). This is a measure of your body fat based on your height and your weight. This interactive calculator (opens new window) can help you calculate your BMI.

Get started

• Losing weight: nhs.uk (opens new window) - advice and ideas for losing weight, including a 12 week healthy eating plan
• Age UK (opens new window) - advice on healthy eating for older people
• Obesity: nhs.uk (opens new window) - information on the health risks associated with obesity
• Weight loss surgery: nhs.uk (opens new window) - surgical treatment options for weight loss

Free weight loss support

Download the free NHS Weight Loss Plan to help you start healthier eating habits, be more active, and start losing weight.

Download from the Apple App Store (opens new window)

Get active

Getting active is essential for achieving or maintaining a healthy weight.

Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme

The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme identifies people at high risk and offers them support to make positive changes to their lifestyle to reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

If you haven't been referred to Healthier You but you're interested in the service, the first step is to check if you're at high risk using the Know Your Risk tool (opens new window) from Diabetes UK. 

More help from your GP

Your local GP in Gateshead provides a range of services that can help you achieve a healthy weight, and enjoy the additional health benefits that it will bring.
You can make an appointment at your GP surgery for help with:

• measuring your waist
• advice on diets and exercise
• blood tests
• referrals to other services including medicine and surgery