You may know your BMI and hope it gives a straightforward answer. Approved criteria are an important starting point, but cannot alone establish whether a particular treatment is useful and safe for you. That requires a discussion of your overall health and circumstances.
What the EU criteria say for adults
For weight management with Wegovy or Mounjaro, EU information specifies an initial BMI of at least 30, or at least 27 with one or more weight-related conditions. Examples include high blood pressure, abnormal blood lipids and obstructive sleep apnoea. Dietary measures and physical activity are part of the authorised approach.
These criteria concern the named products in the European regulatory setting. Other medicines may have different requirements. Children and adolescents have separate rules and need specialist consideration; adult criteria must not simply be transferred to them.
What BMI can and cannot show
BMI relates weight to height. It can be useful for classification and is used in authorisation criteria. It does not directly reveal strength, muscle mass or how you function and feel in everyday life.
The number is therefore one part of the picture. Symptoms, weight history, accompanying conditions and distress around eating or body image also matter. An online tool can organise information, but should not produce a supposedly definitive personal verdict about medicine suitability.
Clinical assessment goes further
A clinician considers realistic benefits and relevant risks. This includes existing conditions, other medicines, previous intolerance, pregnancy plans and access to reliable follow-up. Current information for the exact product matters throughout that assessment.
Not every item on a caution list means an absolute prohibition. Some situations need closer assessment, additional monitoring or a different option. An internet checklist cannot decide these distinctions for an individual. Describe your circumstances fully rather than omitting concerns because you fear being refused.
Age or dissatisfaction alone is not an indication
Being over 40, experiencing menopause symptoms or wanting a different clothing size does not by itself create the relevant indication. Your concerns still deserve a serious conversation. If a particular medicine is not appropriate, other forms of help may still be useful.
A good plan considers which changes would improve health and quality of life, including outcomes beyond the scales. Significant distress, restrictive eating or a sense of losing control around food should be discussed openly so that suitable care is not overlooked.
Check access and finances separately
A clinically considered treatment is not automatically paid for by every insurer. Equally, being able to buy an offer privately does not establish suitability. Keep clinical assessment, authorised use, actual availability and cost as separate checks.
When considering a service, ask who conducts the assessment, how questions are answered and which follow-up is provided. An online questionnaire without clear ongoing care is not equivalent to an individual assessment. At the end of the consultation, ask why an option is or is not advised and what useful next step remains available.
Common questions
Does reaching a BMI threshold guarantee a prescription?
No. The threshold is only part of the criteria. Individual benefits and risks, possible contraindications and your overall circumstances still need assessment.
What if medication is not appropriate for me?
Ask for a clear explanation and other suitable options. Depending on your concerns, nutrition support, help with movement, psychological care or treatment of a related condition may be useful.
Sources & further reading
- EMA: Wegovy – EPAR und Produktinformation
- EMA: Mounjaro – EPAR und Produktinformation
- WHO: GLP-1 therapies for obesity, 1 December 2025
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