Study of Neck Circumference as a Measure of Obesity in South-Eastern Nigerian Population

IntroductionObesity is one of the key risk factors in the development of cardiometabolic diseases, including coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the correlation between neck circumference (NC) with body mass index (BMI) and also with other anthropometric parameter in the assessment of obesity in the study population.Materials and MethodsThis study was conducted in the major towns (Nnewi, Onitsha, and Awka) of Anambra state, Nigeria. The study population included a total number of 402 subjects (199 males and 203 females) of Igbo origin, within the age of 18-45-years. Anthropometric parameters were obtained using standard anthropometric methods. ResultsThe result showed that the mean neck circumference in males was significantly higher than in females. Pearson’s correlation showed that NC had very significant positive correlation with body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio for both the males and the females (p≤0.05). The strongest correlation was found between NC and BMI, followed by waist circumference (WC).ConclusionNC is a potential, inexpensive, cost-effective, easily measured clinical screening tool for evaluating central (regional) obesity and therefore, will be of importance to Clinicians, and Epidemiologists in the diagnosis/treatment of obesity and in forensic investigation.