title: Neck circumference is a valuable tool for identifying metabolic syndrome and obesity in Chinese elder subjects: a community-based study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aim to explore the relationship of neck circumference to metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity in Chinese elders and to establish cut-off points of the neck circumference for MetS and obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional analysis for a population sample of 2092 individuals aged over 65 years, representative of East China elders. MetS was identified according to the 2004 Chinese Diabetes Society criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neck circumference was correlated with body mass index (r = 0.70, p = 0.000 in men, and r = 0.73, p = 0.000 in women) and waist circumference (waist circumference; r = 0.70, p = 0.000 in men, and r = 0.72, p = 0.000 in women). According to neck circumference quartile, the prevalence of MetS and its components were increased significantly from Q1 to Q4 (p for trend <0.001) in both genders. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that both waist circumference and neck circumference were independent predictors of Mets, with odds ratios (95% confidence interval) 1.11 (1.08-1.15; p = 0.044) and 1.17 (1.07-1.28; p = 0.000), respectively, in men and 1.08 (1.05-1.10; p = 0.000) and 1.31 (1.21-1.42; p = 0.000), respectively, in women. As for obesity, the significant independent indicators in both genders were also waist circumference and neck circumference (all p < 0.01). In the receiver operating characteristic curves, both the optimal cut-off points of neck circumference for MetS and obesity were 38 cm in men and 35 cm in women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The neck circumference, as waist circumference, is also a valuable tool for identifying MetS and obesity, with established cut-off points for the prediction of MetS and obesity in Chinese elders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Jimo Road 150, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Qun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Dongmei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qinghu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Lun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Chenhong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D049628:Body Size / Q000208:ethnology*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000473:pathology*; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000473:pathology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012372:ROC Curve
keywords: metabolic syndrome; neck circumference; obesity; waist circumference