Accuracy of Neck Circumference as a Screening Tool in Classifying General and Central Obesity

Objective: the neck circumference (NC) as an index of obesity and upper-body subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution is recently used. This alternative screening tool is reliable, simple, quick and acceptable for assessment of overweight and obesity. the objectives of this study were to examine the correlation between NC measurement and diagnosis of general/visceral obesity and determining the best NC cut point value in a subgroup of Iranian population. Materials and Methods: About ۱۵۰۰۰ adult patients (age between ۱۸-۷۵years) participated in this study. At last ۸۳۸۷ patients met the inclusion criteria. A questionnaire which consisted of anthropometric measurements and demographic features was used. The standard criterion to categorization of NC, waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) identified. Results: In both gender there were positive significant correlations between neck circumference and: body weight (men, r=۰.۷۷۵; women, r=۰.۷۳۹; P=۰.۰۰۰), waist circumferences (men, r=۰.۷۷; women r=۰.۷۶۰; P=۰.۰۰۰), and BMI (men, r=۰.۷۶; women, r=۰.۷۳۸; P=۰.۰۰۰). NC ≥۳۸.۷۵ cm for men had sensitivity for overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ ۲۵kg/m۲) of ۸۳.۵%, a specificity of ۷۷.۸% and in women NC ≥۳۴.۲ cm had sensitivity for BMI ≥ ۲۵kg/m۲ of ۷۹.۴%, a specificity of ۸۰.۲%. The cutoff values of NC in men and women that identified central obesity (WC ≥۹۵ cm) were ≥۳۹.۲۵ and ≥۳۴.۵ cm respectively Conclusion: This study indicates that NC was associated with body weight, BMI, waist circumferences for men and women. A significant association was found between NC and central obesity for both genders specially men.

Keywords:

Neck circumference , General obesity , Visceral obesity , Anthropometric index.