What is the issue with the NHS's BMI guidelines?

The NHS's BMI guidelines do not adequately account for inherited ethnic differences, potentially excluding up to 3 million people in the UK from accessing vital obesity treatments.

How does the NHS's weight-loss jab Mounjaro relate to this issue?

Access to the NHS's new weight-loss jab Mounjaro is based on strict BMI measures, which could deny treatment to those from diverse ethnic backgrounds who have lower BMIs but similar health risks.

Home / Health / Flawed NHS Guidance Denies Millions Access to Vital Treatments

Flawed NHS Guidance Denies Millions Access to Vital Treatments

15 Aug

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Summary

BMI measures do not account for ethnic differences, excluding millions
NHS to roll out weight-loss jab Mounjaro, but access limited by BMI
Experts warn current guidelines are "broad-brush" and problematic

Flawed NHS Guidance Denies Millions Access to Vital Treatments

According to a report by the King's Fund, the NHS's reliance on outdated Body Mass Index (BMI) measures to determine obesity levels and treatment eligibility is excluding millions of people, particularly those from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

The analysis reveals that the current BMI thresholds, which are primarily based on research for White European or American people, do not adequately account for the inherited differences in health risks among Black, Asian, Brown, dual heritage, and indigenous populations. This means that some groups may be denied access to treatments like weight-loss jabs and other obesity-related interventions, even if they face similar health risks at a lower BMI.

The issue is set to become more pressing as the NHS prepares to roll out access to the weight-loss drug Mounjaro for 250,000 patients annually over the next 12 years. Eligibility for Mounjaro and other treatments, such as IVF, bariatric surgery, and joint replacement, is largely determined by a person's BMI.

Experts warn that the current "broad-brush" approach of lowering BMI thresholds for all "Black, Asian or Middle Eastern" individuals is problematic, as it fails to address the nuances within these diverse communities. This could lead to further health inequalities and inaccurate measurements of obesity prevalence across different ethnicities.

The report calls for a more nuanced and inclusive approach to BMI guidelines, one that recognizes the unique health risks and needs of various ethnic groups in the UK.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.