For years, body mass index (BMI) was considered the gold standard for estimating a person’s body fat and associated health risks.
But we’ve learned it doesn’t paint an accurate picture. That’s because it overlooks a critical detail: fat distribution.
Over the years, research has revealed it’s not just the fat we carry, but the location of that fat, that provides substantial clues about our metabolic and cardiovascular health.
For example, having a large waist, which can indicate belly fat, is a significant risk factor for metabolic syndrome, which can jumpstart diabetes and heart problems.
Now, the thickness of another body part is getting researchers’ attention about what it reveals about the state of the heart…
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Neck size could matter just as much
BMI, which calculates body mass index by dividing weight by height to estimate body fat, just doesn’t take everything into account.
For example, a competitive bodybuilder might have a high BMI but not be obese — because weight can include water weight, bone weight and muscle weight, in addition to fat.
This is where measuring the circumference of the neck could offer additional insight. Research shows that someone with a larger neck relative to body size could have an elevated risk of several serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and sleep apnea.
The connection between neck circumference and health risks lies in what neck size reveals about fat distribution, especially in the upper body…
Fat around the upper body releases fatty acids into the blood, which can interfere with the management of cholesterol, blood sugar and heart rhythm. In this way, neck size serves as a proxy for visceral fat, the harmful fat that is located deep in the belly and wraps around the organs.
Some of the cardiovascular diseases associated with a thick neck include hypertension, atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
Atrial fibrillation is particularly concerning because it causes irregular heartbeat and blood flow, potentially leading to blood clots and stroke and progressing to heart failure. Neck size also correlates with coronary heart disease, where the main arteries to the heart narrow and restrict oxygen-rich blood flow.
But that’s not all…
A larger neck circumference raises the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that can occur in pregnancy. Diabetes can lead to serious long-term complications, including vision loss and limb amputations.
Thick necks have also been linked to obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This type of sleep apnea causes extreme daytime fatigue and can strain the cardiovascular system.
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Weight may not be the issue
What’s the danger zone in terms of neck size? For men, a neck circumference of 17 inches (43 cm) or greater is associated with increased health risks. For women, the threshold is 14 inches (35.5 cm) or greater.
Surprisingly, even if your weight and BMI are considered normal, you could still face elevated health risks if your neck circumference is in the danger zone. And for each additional centimeter of neck size beyond the cited thresholds, death and hospitalization rates increase.
So, you may want to get your tape measure out and size up your neck. Simply wrap the tape measure around the narrowest part of your neck, ensuring the tape is snug but not too tight.
If you find out your neck circumference is in the danger zone, don’t panic — it’s only one part of your overall health picture. But you may want to make some lifestyle changes to get that measurement down.
Exercise and weight training can both help reduce upper-body fat, as can a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes.
It’s also important to get quality sleep, as it supports metabolic regulation and recovery, which is crucial for keeping hunger hormones in check. These hormones can otherwise increase hunger and appetite for calorie-dense foods, making it harder to eat healthily.
Source:
This simple neck measurement might reveal hidden heart risks — ScienceDaily
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