Association of Neck Circumference with Obesity in Female College Students.
BACKGROUND
Obesity levels have been dramatically increased in the United Arab Emirates over the last few years. High levels of body Mass Index, waist circumference, and percent of total body fat as a measure of obesity have found to be related to cardiovascular risk factors and other diseases. Neck circumference is a new tool that has been linked to obesity. However, no studies in UAE have been conducted yet.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to measure the obesity levels in a college population and to correlate them with NC and other anthropometrical indexes.


METHODS
Two hundred forty three (243) female students aged 18-25 were conveniently selected to participate in the study. Anthropometrical indexes were obtained from all subjects e after fasting.


RESULTS
The prevalence of overweight and obesity together was found to be 28.4 % (n = 69). Pearson correlation showed that WC, NC and BF (%) were significantly positively related to obesity, (r = 0.790; r = 0.758; r = 0.767, p < 0.001), respectively. In multiple regression analysis, only NC (Beta: 1.627, 95 %CI: 0.370, 2.846, p < 0.001) and WC (Beta: 0.464, 95 %CI: 0.135, 0.664, p < 0.001) were found to be independently associated with obesity.


CONCLUSIONS
NC was found to be independently associated with obesity levels in Emirati college students.
Department of Natural Sciences & Public Health, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Dimitrios
D
Papandreou
Department of Natural Sciences & Public Health, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Zujaja Tul
ZT
Noor
Department of Natural Sciences & Public Health, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Maitha
M
Rashed
Department of Natural Sciences & Public Health, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Hadeel Al
HA
Jaberi
Obesity; United Arab Emirates; asthma; college students; neck circumference; waist circumference