Patients with a BMI of 35 or higher, classified as very obese, will be monitored at all healthcare appointments, while those with long-term conditions will have both measurements taken if their BMI is under 35.

In addition to BMI, waist-to-height ratios will be measured for individuals with a BMI below 35 to assess overall health risks.

The draft standard does not specify which long-term conditions to focus on but suggests prioritizing conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dyslipidaemia, heart failure, and diabetes.

The initiative aims to increase referrals to weight management services and prescriptions for weight loss drugs.

NICE also advocates for enhanced support for individuals with learning disabilities, who have a higher risk of obesity, by facilitating access to weight management services.

Dell Stanford from the British Heart Foundation highlights that monitoring people with heart conditions can improve their care and reduce health risks associated with being overweight.

Dr. Rebecca Payne, a GP and NICE advisory committee chair, encouraged feedback from healthcare professionals to ensure effective implementation of the proposals.

The final quality standard from NICE is expected to be published in August 2025, with the potential to enhance consistent support for weight management in healthcare settings.

The draft guidance is open for public consultation until mid-April 2025, with final recommendations anticipated in August 2025.

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 to improve health outcomes.

This initiative aims to standardize BMI and waist-to-height ratio measurements during annual physical checks, addressing inconsistencies in current healthcare practices.

NICE's draft guidance suggests that individuals with conditions like diabetes and heart failure should have their BMI and waist-to-height ratio assessed at least once a year.