A good dinner party once involved glugging back copious amounts of wine, eating too many hors d'oeuvres and struggling to squeeze in a few mouthfuls of pud. Not to mention the scintillating company and raucous laughter.

But the latest trend in the quest for peak personal fitness involves guests having their blood tested while being given a detailed nutritional breakdown of every morsel that passes their lips.

Rather than competing over their latest holiday adventures or children’s piano grades, the group of friends will compare notes on who has the highest cholesterol or not enough vitamin D.

The “health optimisation party” is the latest salvo in the obsession with achieving peak physical health.

It is expected to become the next big thing for those who are tiring of kale smoothies and quinoa, who are already au fait with every HIIT workout, spinning class and pilates session on the market and feel the need to pursue further health goals.

The first such event to hit the market was launched last week and has already attracted considerable attention.