People usually measure their health through weight, waist size and body mass index (BMI), but doctors also focus on neck size as a new health indicator. Research shows that neck size measurements help doctors identify potential health risks, which primarily affect the heart and metabolic system. Let’s dig deeper…
Reveals fat distribution
The measurement of your neck reveals how fat accumulates in your upper body section which includes your neck and throat area. The body fat located near internal organs is called visceral fat, which creates acute health problems. The fat located beneath the skin surface is called subcutaneous fat, but visceral fat produces fatty acids and inflammatory substances, which enter blood circulation. The substances released by visceral fat disrupt the body’s ability to control cholesterol levels, blood sugar and heart rhythm. Research indicates that neck circumference provides better visceral fat measurement than BMI does, and serves as a straightforward method for this assessment.
Potential heart disease risks
Research indicates that people with bigger neck measurements face elevated probabilities of developing heart-related illnesses. Such people are at the risk of developing high blood pressure, heart failure and atrial fibrillation, which causes irregular heartbeats. The occurrence of atrial fibrillation leads to blood clot formation, which subsequently raises the danger of stroke. The fat deposits in the neck region disrupt heart electrical signals, which results in abnormal heart rhythms. The measurement of neck size functions as an initial cardiovascular warning indicator, which becomes more significant when patients have obesity or diabetes, alongside other risk factors.
Metabolic diseases
The amount of fat stored in the neck area directly influences the development of type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. The fatty acids which emerge from neck fat tissue create persistent inflammation that results in insulin resistance, which makes blood sugar control difficult for the body. Research shows that people with larger neck measurements face elevated probabilities of developing diabetes and metabolic disorders.
Health assessment
Doctors often use neck circumference measurements for risk assessment, because this measurement is straightforward to obtain, and provides significant predictive value. Research has established particular neck size thresholds for men and women, which predict higher probabilities of obesity alongside hypertension and metabolic syndrome. Research indicates that neck sizes exceeding 37.5 cm in men and 34.75 cm in women, might suggest higher health dangers. Doctors can develop better prevention and management plans through the combination of neck measurements with BMI results, to understand patient health status more accurately.
Taking action
When your neck measurement exceeds the recommended values, you should start making changes to improve your health status. Reducing weight through diet and exercise, helps decrease visceral fat which subsequently reduces the health dangers associated with large neck sizes. Your doctor needs to perform regular check-ups to track your blood pressure, along with your blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Lifestyle modifications will help you control health risks associated with your neck size and metabolic health.Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not a substitute for medical advice
