title: Neck Circumference May Be a Better Alternative to Standard Anthropometric Measures.
abstract: This paper evaluates neck circumference as a metabolic risk marker. Overweight/obese, nondiabetic Hispanics, 40-65 years old, who are free of major cardiovascular diseases, were recruited for the San Juan Overweight Adults Longitudinal Study (SOALS). Baseline exams were completed by 1,206 participants. Partial correlation coefficients (r) and logistic models adjusted for age, gender, smoking status, and physical activity were computed. Neck circumference was significantly correlated with waist circumference (r = 0.64), BMI (r = 0.66), and body fat % (r = 0.45). Neck circumference, highest (compared to lowest) tertile, had higher association with prediabetes: multivariable OR = 2.30 (95% CI: 1.71-3.06) compared to waist circumference OR = 1.97 (95% CI: 1.48-2.66) and other anthropometric measures. Neck circumference showed higher associations with HOMA, low HDL-C, and triglycerides, multivariable OR = 8.42 (95% CI: 5.43-13.06), 2.41 (95% CI: 1.80-3.21), and 1.52 (95% CI: 1.14-2.03), but weaker associations with hs-CRP and hypertension, OR = 3.61 (95% CI: 2.66-4.90) and OR = 2.58 (95% CI: 1.90-3.49), compared to waist circumference. AIC for model fit was generally similar for neck or waist circumference. Neck circumference showed similar or better associations with metabolic factors and is more practicable than waist circumference. Hence, neck circumference may be a better alternative to waist circumference.
authors.affiliation: Center for Clinical Research and Health Promotion, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Kaumudi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Joshipura
authors.affiliation: Center for Clinical Research and Health Promotion, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, USA.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Torres
authors.affiliation: Center for Clinical Research and Health Promotion, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, USA; Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, USA.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vergara
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, USA.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palacios
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, USA.
authors.forename: Cynthia M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Pérez
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference