Neck circumference is as good an indicator of obesity as waist hip ratio

Abstract

Introduction: BMI (Body mass index), Waist Hip ratio (WHR) and even body fat percentage (BF %) or fat mass are indicators that are commonly used for assessment and grading of obesity. Of late researchers are exploring the possibility of using neck circumference as another indicator of obesity. Neck circumference (NC) is found in many studies to reflect central obesity. Our study however aims at comparing the correlation between Neck circumference, BMI and body fat percentage with the correlation between Waist Hip Ratio, BMI and body fat percentage in both lean and obese adults, to find out whether Neck circumference or waist hip ratio is a better indicator of obesity. Materials and Methods: This is an analytical observational preliminary study which is a part of a larger study. Sample study consists of 36 participants who are adults in the range of 18 to 60 years old of both genders, which comprises of 19 lean and 17 obese research participants. Anthropometric data of the research participants such as age, sex, weight, height, waist circumference, and hip circumference were measured. BMI was calculated using Adolphe Quetelet metric BMI formula. Body fat percentage was measured using DEXA (Dual X-ray Absorbtiometry) scan. Results: The overall group, NC showed strong positive correlation with BMI whereas WHR showed moderate correlation with BMI. There is also a moderate correlation between NC, WHR and BF%. In lean adults it is observed that the moderate correlation between neck circumference (NC) and BMI is similar to the correlation between WHR and BMI. Again in lean adults, the correlation between NC and BF% is a weak positive and the correlation between WHR and BF% is towards a strong positive side. It is observed that in obese adults the NC, WHR demonstrate moderate correlation with BMI, while a negative correlation exists between NC, WHR and BF%. Conclusion: According to the results of our study, it is obvious that neck circumference like WHR do correlate with BMI in all the three groups that is, in the overall, lean and obese research participants. And that neck circumference is as good an indicator as WHR in identifying adults with obesity.