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  • Page | Last updated: 11 Apr 2025

Food-Based Dietary Guidelines - Guidance on body weight/ Body Mass Index (BMI)

Health Promotion Knowledge Gateway

Summary of FBDG guidance on body weight/ Body Mass Index (BMI) for the EU, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom

Due care was taken to ensure factually correct information. Food groupings and food group names differ across individual FBDGs; the ones used here are a compromise to present the information in a structured way. Differences such as those in number of portions and portion sizes were kept unaltered. The original country FBDGs and the responsible national public health authorities remain the only qualified points of reference.

Country

FBDG guidance on body weight / Body Mass Index (BMI)

Belgium-
BulgariaMaintain a healthy weight and monitor it regularly
CzechiaMaintain a reasonable constant body weight characterized by a BMI (18.5-25.0) kg/m2 and a waist circumference of no more than 94 cm for men and 80 cm for women
DenmarkThe official dietary guidelines make it easier to maintain a healthy body weight.

Country

FBDG guidance on body weight / Body Mass Index (BMI)

GermanyStay active and watch your weight
Estonia-
IrelandTo maintain a healthy weight
Notes: Average daily calorie needs for all foods and drinks for adults: Women - active 2000 kcal; inactive 1800 kcal. Men - active 2500 kcal; inactive 2000 kcal
GreeceMaintain a healthy body weight

Country

FBDG guidance on body weight / Body Mass Index (BMI)

SpainMaintain a healthy body weight
France-
CroatiaBalance your energy consumption and maintain a BMI of 18.5-24,9 kg/m2
ItalyBMI should be between 18.5 and 25 kg/m2. Watch your weight: weigh yourself once a month to maintain your weight within normal ranges or to gradually bring it down with the help of a specialist. Waist circumference should be below 88 cm for women and 102 cm in men.

Country

FBDG guidance on body weight / Body Mass Index (BMI)

CyprusMaintain a healthy weight
LatviaUse BMI to evaluate body weight. In case of increased body weight, one should try to reduce it or at least ensure that it does not increase.
Notes: BMI <18.5 underweight; BMI = 18.5-24.9 normal weight; BMI = 25-29.9 overweight; BMI> 30.0 obesity
LithuaniaMaintain a normal body mass index (normal adult BMI = 18.5-24.9) and monitor your weight at least once a year.
Luxembourg-

Country

FBDG guidance on body weight / Body Mass Index (BMI)

Hungary-
MaltaBe active for longer periods of time if you need to reduce weight or maintain a healthy weight for life
Notes: To lose weight, 0.5-1 kg per week
NetherlandsEat the right amounts from each segment of the Wheel of Five each day.
Limit consumption of foods high in saturated fatty acids and sugar, keep the portions small.
Limit consumption of sugar-containing beverages (Note: these include soft drinks, fruit juices, milk or yoghurt drinks with added sugar)
Monitor your body weight.
Notes: NNC based the recommendations on average energy requirements for an inactive lifestyle and BMI of around 22.5 kg/m2.

Country

FBDG guidance on body weight / Body Mass Index (BMI)

AustriaMaintain a healthy weight
PolandKeep proper body weight
PortugalMaintain an appropriate weight (Normal weight: BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2)
RomaniaMaintain a healthy weight

Country

FBDG guidance on body weight / Body Mass Index (BMI)

SloveniaBe physically active enough to keep your body weight healthy
Slovakia-
Finland-
SwedenMaintain a balance! Try to maintain energy balance by eating just the right amount.

Country

FBDG guidance on body weight / Body Mass Index (BMI)

United KingdomBe a healthy weight
Switzerland-
Iceland-
NorwayBalance between intake and consumption of energy is important to avoid overweight or underweight. Being active makes it easier to be in energy balance.