Millions of individuals in England and Wales with long-term health conditions should have their BMI checked regularly to prevent illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. The NHS watchdog, Nice, is recommending this measure for individuals who are overweight to help them lead a healthier life and avoid excess weight-related complications.
It is suggested that these checks would boost referrals to weight management services for dietary and lifestyle changes or weight loss drugs. Nice hopes that these recommendations will aid in reducing obesity among people with conditions like diabetes, lung problems, and heart failure.
According to the draft guidance, these individuals should have their BMI and waist-to-height ratio assessed and recorded at least once a year. Such changes in NHS practice would result in the monitoring of 13 million patients, with individuals whose BMI is 35 or higher classified as very obese.
Prof Jonathan Benger, Nice’s deputy chief executive and chief medical officer, stated that these annual measurements allow for early intervention and discussions about long-term health and wellbeing. He believes that identifying trends before they become issues, clinical practitioners can help prevent serious health complications.
Almost two-thirds of the 13 million individuals are meant to have their BMI recorded every year during their GP visits. However, this is often not done or not recorded in their medical history. Healthcare professionals are advised to approach discussions about weight in a sensitive and non-judgmental manner, as this can increase receptivity to supportive measures.
Monitoring BMI and waist-to-height ratio for individuals with heart conditions can help them access better care and lower their risk of developing other health problems. Some experts believe that it would be more effective to improve people’s diets by making food products healthier rather than relying on individuals to become overweight before taking action.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/18/watchdog-urges-regular-bmi-checkups-for-millions-across-england-and-wales
