This Is What Your Neck Size Tells About Your Health

Doctors traditionally rely on factors such as Body Mass Index (BMI), cholesterol, and Blood Pressure while assessing health risks. This often neglects an important health indicator. In the past few years, scientists and researchers are highlighting the importance of Neck Circumferences to properly assess your health. It does not only reflect  , but also points to type-2 diabetes, blood pressure and other chronic diseases.

To understand what neck size reveals about your health, and what is the healthy neck size, we spoke to Dr G. Nasiruddin, Consultant - Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru.

Neck Circumstances and Metabolic Health

According to a study published in ScienceDirect, neck circumference is closely related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other CVD risk factors. While many associate thick neck as a symbol of strength as seen in boxers, WWE fighters and rugby players, studies signal that excess fat around the neck is strongly associated with metabolic diseases.

During the conversation Dr G Nasiruddin shared, "Neck circumference is increasingly viewed as an important, yet frequently neglected, measure of metabolic health. While BMI simply reflects weight based on height, neck circumference provides important data about the distribution of fat, which is associated with serious health conditions.”

Also Read: How Sleeping in a Dark Room Can Benefit Your Heart Health

Other Health Risks Associated With Neck Size

Gaining fat in the neck, medically linked to Carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT), which mirrors excess fat around vital organ systems. This accumulation suggests the likelihood of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.

According to a study, higher Neck circumferences indicate a higher incidence of future fatal and non-fatal CVD events and all-cause mortality in both male and female high-risk participants. CVD risk factors increased more significantly in the group of people with fat around the neck. Researchers considered this as a higher novel indicator of CVD events and mortality in a high-risk population.

Dr Nasiruddin explained, “An enlarged neck may also cause physical interference with breathing by compressing the airway, further contributing to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a condition highly correlated with hypertension and atrial fibrillation.”

He also highlighted that relying solely on BMI can be misleading because many individuals with normal BMI values may carry excess fat around the neck and abdomen.

Healthy Neck Size For Men and Women

Neck circumference serves a purpose as a simple, non-invasive screening tool for cardiometabolic and respiratory risk. Although an ideal neck size can vary according to height and weight, Dr Nasirudding suggested that Ideal neck circumference measurements are under 39 cm in men and under 35 cm in women.


Also Read: Eye Scans Can Reveal Heart Disease Risk and Ageing Speed, Claims Study — But What Does an Expert Say?

How To Reduce Neck Size

Individuals can reduce neck size by changing daily lifestyle and food habits and incorporating a consistent exercise routine. Dr Nasirudding stated, “While spot reduction is not a feasible option for reducing neck fat, a combination of consistent exercise, a healthy diet, sound sleeping practices, and weight control can aid in reducing neck fat over time.”

Obesity is a source of numerous health problems, including heart attack, artery blockage, thyroid issues, and blood pressure complications, often increasing the mortality rate. Reducing your overall body fat and maintaining a healthy body will eventually lead to a reduction in your neck circumference, lowering the risk of heart diseases.

When To Visit A Doctor

Dr Nasiruddin advises that one should keep track of their neck size, and monitor for any other specific changes coming alongside the size, in order to identify early warning signs. He mentioned, ”If you notice an abrupt or progressive increase of neck size, especially if you have newly developed snoring, fatigue, swelling, or other concerns, it is important to follow up with your doctor.” Such symptoms could indicate the potential for serious underlying issues such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), thyroid dysfunction, or metabolic imbalance.

Bottomline

An increased neck size is linked to several health conditions that might occur even with normal Body Mass Index (BMI). A thick neck size not only disrupts the normal blood flow, the breathing cycle, and body rhythm, but it can also worsen pre-existing health conditions.