NICE recommends annual BMI checks for adults with long-term conditions
New draft quality standard aims to boost early intervention and consistent care for adults living with long-term health conditions.
New draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) which has been published for consultation recommends that all adults with specified long-term conditions should receive an annual body mass index (BMI) check. In addition, waist-to-height ratio measurements are proposed for patients whose BMI is below 35, to help better identify individuals at risk of obesity-related complications.
The new guidance is aimed at improving early detection and prevention of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other weight-related illnesses. NICE believes these simple, routine checks can lead to timely conversations and support to reduce the burden of future ill-health.
Professor Jonathan Benger, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Medical Officer at NICE, said: “Annual monitoring of BMI and waist-to-height ratio is a powerful tool to help prevent problems developing such as the onset of type 2 diabetes, heart disease or other obesity-related conditions. By identifying trends before they become problems, clinical practitioners can help people prevent more serious health complications down the line.”
Although annual physical health checks already occur for many people with long-term conditions, NICE has found that BMI and waist-to-height ratio measurements are not being recorded consistently. This gap in care is what the new proposals seek to address.
The focus is on adults with conditions such as COPD, diabetes, heart failure, learning disabilities, rheumatoid arthritis, schizophrenia and stroke — though the list is not exhaustive. The draft standard also highlights the importance of ensuring that people with learning disabilities can access weight management services and ongoing care after receiving interventions or medications.
The final quality standard is expected in August 2025.