National guidance to support local implementation of NHS health check programme does not recommend that a nutritional screening tool is used as part of the risk assessment. However, where an individual's body mass index is considered to be a risk factor in terms of vascular disease it is expected that they will receive advice and support on managing their weight, which would cover both nutrition and physical activity.
The purpose of an NHS health check is to identify an individual's risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease, for this risk to be communicated in a way that the individual understands, and for that risk to be managed by appropriate follow-up. These diseases are all linked by a common set of modifiable risk factors. Obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure and raised cholesterol levels all raise the risk of vascular disease. While the NHS health check focuses on reducing these risk factors in order to reduce the risk of vascular disease, health professionals carrying out the checks will of course have the opportunity to identify people who are seriously underweight and will be able to exercise their clinical judgment in referring them for appropriate treatment or intervention.
When the Nutrition Action Plan was published in October 2007, the Department made a public commitment that the final report of the Delivery Board would be published and placed on the Department's website. A copy of the report will also be placed in the Library.