Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are prescription medicines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for long-term weight management. Each is meant to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity. Body mass index is the first thing a doctor checks.
The BMI thresholds on the FDA labels
| Your BMI | What the labels say |
|---|---|
| 30 or more | Within the approved use (obesity) |
| 27 to 29.9 | Within the approved use only with at least one weight-related condition (overweight) |
| Below 27 | Outside the approved use for weight management |
Wegovy also has approvals for lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke in adults with heart disease and a BMI of 27 or more, and Zepbound for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. Labels change, so check the current prescribing information on the FDA website or ask your pharmacist.
What weight is BMI 27 or 30 for my height?
This table shows the weight at which each height reaches the two thresholds. Your exact BMI takes seconds in the BMI calculator, which also accepts height in feet with weight in kilograms.
| Height | BMI 27 starts at | BMI 30 starts at |
|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 0 in | 138 lb | 154 lb |
| 5 ft 2 in | 148 lb | 164 lb |
| 5 ft 4 in | 158 lb | 175 lb |
| 5 ft 6 in | 167 lb | 186 lb |
| 5 ft 8 in | 178 lb | 197 lb |
| 5 ft 10 in | 188 lb | 209 lb |
| 6 ft 0 in | 199 lb | 221 lb |
| 6 ft 2 in | 210 lb | 234 lb |
The full height-and-weight chart for every BMI category is on the BMI calculator page.
BMI isn't the whole picture
BMI can't tell muscle from fat, so very muscular people can score high, and it can understate risk for people who carry weight around the middle. That's why many doctors also measure waist size: over 35 inches (88 cm) for women or 40 inches (102 cm) for men points to higher risk. Read more in what a healthy BMI is, and its limits.
Diet and activity still matter
Both labels pair the medicine with a reduced-calorie diet and more activity, and the clinical trials did the same. If you're planning that side of things, the TDEE calculator shows your maintenance calories, and the calorie deficit calculator turns a weekly goal into a daily target with protein, carbs and fat. Eating enough protein helps keep muscle while you lose weight. See how many calories to eat to lose weight.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Do I meet the criteria, and which of my conditions count?
- What side effects should I expect, and how is the dose increased?
- How long would I need to take it, and what happens if I stop?
- Does my insurance cover it, and what does it need from you to approve it?
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Northlane has no connection to the makers of these medicines. Only a licensed clinician can decide whether a prescription medicine is right for you.