Abstract
Introduction: In the local tailoring industries in Nigeria, it is generally assumed that the waist circumference is twice the neck circumference. Whether this is true for obese and overweight people is unknown. Objective: This study investigated the anthropometric relationship of the neck circumference to the waist circumference in overweight and obese people and its use in the clothing industry. Subjects and Methods: A sample size of 557 volunteers between 18 to 50 years was recruited for the study from the three campuses of the University of Port Harcourt. 391 were overweight (males=218, females=173) and 166 were obese (males=63, females=103). The neck and waist circumferences of volunteers were taken at the upper neck circumference (UNC), middle neck circumference (MNC), lower neck circumference (LNC) and upper waist circumference (UWC), middle waist circumference (MWC) and lower waist circumference (LWC) respectively. The Body Mass Index of the participants were determined after their weights and heights were measured to enable us categorize them into overweight and obese. The data obtained were analyzed with the aid of Microsoft Excel statistical tools. Results: Overweight males had UNC =37.83cm, UWC =83.69cm, MNC =37.72cm; MWC=85.79cm, LNC =38.43cm, LWC =86.37cm. Overweight females had UNC =33.64cm, UWC=78.02cm, MNC =33.64cm, MWC= 83.09cm, LNC =34.71cm, LWC=83.09cm. Obese males had UNC =40.15cm, UWC=93.87cm, MNC =40.12cm, MWC= 97.95cm, LNC =40.85cm, LWC =97.82cm. Obese females had UNC =35.07cm, UWC =90.86cm, MNC= 35.29cm, MWC =97.29cm, LNC =36.01cm, LWC =100.72cm. Pearson’s correlations(r) of the different regions of the neck and waist for overweight and obese subjects were determined. Conclusion: The correlation between the neck and waist circumference is weak in both overweight and obese. No subject has a waist circumference that is exactly twice the neck circumference. Estimation of waist circumference from the neck circumference will result in clothes that are not fitted.
Highlights
In the local tailoring industries in Nigeria, it is generally assumed that the waist circumference is twice the neck circumference
We find it necessary to evaluate overweight and obese subjects as the population of these group of persons are increasing by the day
Several authors have made good contributions in their studies with respect to the relationship between the neck and the waist circumference, and as a predictive measure to health and disease.[3 ̶ 9] In our previous study of Nigerians with normal weight, we found that the waist circumference is not exactly twice the neck circumference
Summary
In the local tailoring industries in Nigeria, it is generally assumed that the waist circumference is twice the neck circumference. Whether this is true for obese and overweight people is unknown. Objective: This study investigated the anthropometric relationship of the neck circumference to the waist circumference in overweight and obese people and its use in the clothing industry. Results: Overweight males had UNC =37.83cm, UWC =83.69cm, MNC =37.72cm; MWC=85.79cm, LNC =38.43cm, LWC =86.37cm. Awareness of the correlations of these body parts is essential in tailoring These have resulted in the belief that the neck circumference is twice the waist circumference and Academia Anatomica International ¦ Volume 5 ¦ Issue 1 ¦ January-June 2019
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