Neck circumference is associated with adipose tissue content in thigh skeletal muscle in overweight and obese premenopausal women

Abstract

Neck circumference (NC) has been proposed as a simple and practical tool, independently associated with cardiometabolic risk factors. However, the association of NC with inter-muscular adipose tissue (IMAT) is still to be determined. We aimed to examine the association of NC with thigh IMAT, and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) measured with computed tomography (CT) in overweight/obese women. 142 premenopausal overweight and obese Caucasian women participated in this crosssectional study. NC was measured with an inextensible metallic tape above the thyroid cartilage according to International Society for Advancement of Kinanthropometry protocol. Thigh IMAT and VAT volumes were measured with a single cross-sectional CT. Regarding the covariates, fat mass (FM) was assessed with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and physical activity was objectively measured with accelerometry. NC was positively associated with thigh IMAT and VAT volumes (standardized β coefficient: β = 0.45, P-value = ≤0.001, β = 0.60, P = ≤ 0.001; respectively), which persisted after adjusting for age, height, overall FM or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Our findings show that NC is associated with thigh IMAT volume in overweight and obese premenopausal Caucasian women, regardless of the amount of lower-body fatness. These results suggest underscoring the relevance of NC as a marker of adipose tissue content in thigh skeletal muscle.

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis and Manual Measurements of Neck Circumference Are Interchangeable, and Declining Neck Circumference Is Related to Presarcopenia

“…Interest in NC as a clinical measurement has increased substantially [ 26 ]. Unlike waist circumference, the measurement of which differs widely in location, and the location of NC measurement is standard and straightforward.…”

“…Meals, respiration, and position have no effect on NC measurement [ 25 ]. NC can be measured without the need to remove clothing and can also be measured in pregnant and ascitic patients [ 26 ].…”

“…We examined correlations between manual and BIA measurements of NC by using the Spearman r and ICC (absolute agreement, two-way random, and single measures). To interpret Spearman correlations, cutoff values of less than 0.20 were considered very weak; 0.20 to 0.39, as weak; 0.40 to 0.59, as moderate; 0.60 to 0.79, as strong; and 0.80 to 1.0, as very strong [ 26 , 30 ]. To interpret the ICC, cutoff values of less than 0.20 were considered slight; 0.20 to 0.39, as fair; 0.40 to 0.59, as moderate; 0.60 to 0.79, as substantial; and 0.80 to 1.0, as almost perfect [ 12 ].…”

Impact of Neck and Shoulder Pain on Health-Related Quality of Life in a Middle-Aged Community-Living Population

“…With a participant standing with his or her head positioned in the Frankfort horizontal plane and the shoulders relaxed, NC was measured from a level below the laryngeal prominence perpendicular to the long axis of the neck using a nonstretchable plastic tape. We documented all results in centimeters by rounding off all measures [ 30 , 31 ].…”

Differences in Fat Mass Estimation Formulas in Physically Active Adult Population and Relationship with Sums of Skinfolds

“…The use of skinfold thickness to estimate body fat is based on the relationship between subcutaneous adipose tissue and total body fat [ 14 ]. Its principal advantages are that it is easy, inexpensive, easy to transport and quick to apply [ 19 , 27 ]. Furthermore, kinanthropometry has been shown to have sufficient validity and reliability to be considered a useful tool in the assessment of fat percentage in the athlete population [ 28 ].…”