THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A study of 168 obese patients has found that the neck size of 36 cm or greater in females and 39 cm or more in males is correlated to the abnormalities associated with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
More than men, the neck size among women had a greater predictive value compared to waist size. The study, reported in a newsletter published by Jyothidev Diabetes Research Centre here, was aimed at finding out whether the neck size independently contributed to the prediction of factors associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
The study was presented at the conference of American Associaton of Clinical Endicronologists at Nashville.
A total of 168 obese people with Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30kg/m2 were recruited during 2013-2014 in a university hospital. The measurements of waist, neck, weight and height were taken.
Besides, biochemical measurements including HbA1c, liver enzymes, uric acid and lipids were also taken. Standard oral glucose tolerance tests with immunoreactive insulin (portion of insulin in blood measured by immuno chemical methods for the hormone) were performed among those who had not been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes earlier.
Researcher Zdravko Kamenov said, “Waist size is an established method for evaluating abdominal fat but it has several disadvantages particularly in severely obese individuals. Neck-size measurement contributes to metabolic risk evaluation beyond waist circumference and is easier to measure. Neck size has a greater value in indicating risks associated with type 2 diabetes and CVD when compared to waist circumference.”
