Identification of neck circumference cut-off points for insulin resistance as a marker in adolescents

Abstract

Objective To identify cut-off points of neck circumference measurement to predict insulin resistance in adolescents. Methods Cross-sectional analysis with data derived from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents, nationwide, multicenter, school-based survey. We evaluated 901 adolescents, aged 12 to 17, from public and private schools in two cities of Sergipe state in Brazil. We measured demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical data, and insulin resistance using Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance. We used multiple linear regression and logistic analysis to evaluate the association between dependent variables (biochemical) and independent variables (anthropometric) controlled by body mass index, age, gender, and Tanner’s stage. We used the Receiver operating characteristic curve to determine cut-off points of neck circumference that can identify insulin resistance. Results The multiple linear regression analysis showed a positive association between neck circumference measurement with fasting glycemia and glycated hemoglobin (p<0.001) and a negative association with insulin (p<0.024). Furthermore, in logistic regression, the measurement of neck circumference was the only anthropometric indicator positively correlated with homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance. The cut-off points of neck circumference for predicting insulin resistance were: 30.55cm for female pubertal and 32.10cm for post-pubertal adolescents; 35.90cm for male pubertal adolescents and 36.65cm for post-pubertal adolescents. Conclusions The measurement of neck circumference is a simple, practical anthropometric indicator and can be used as a screening tool to identify insulin resistance in adolescents.