BMI CHECKS ON NHS FOR MILLIONS AT RISK

NICE asks docs' opinions

- MARTIN BAGOT

TENS of millions of people will have their BMI recorded annually to boost early intervention.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says everyone in England and Wales with long-term conditions such as diabetes or heart disease should have their body mass index recorded at least once a year.

It is now asking professionals' opinions on the idea.

Prof Jonathan Benger, chief medical officer at NICE, said: “These simple annual measurements create opportunities for early intervention.