The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has proposed annual body mass index (BMI) checks for patients in England with long-term conditions. In draft guidance, the regulator also suggested measuring waist-to-height ratios for those with a BMI below 35.
Identifying Risks and Improving Care
NICE said the new approach would help identify people at risk of weight-related complications. This would allow healthcare professionals to offer appropriate support and prevent future ill-health.
While annual physical checks are standard for people with long term conditions, NICE noted that a person’s BMI and waist-to-height ratio was not always being measured or recorded. The regulator hopes its new standards would “reduce this inequality in care”.
Opportunities for Early Intervention
“Annual monitoring of BMI and…