Neck circumference as an indicator of elevated central adiposity in children

Abstract

Objective We aimed to study the correlation between neck circumference (NC) and anthropometric adiposity indicators, and to determine cut-off points of NC for both sexes to identify elevated central adiposity in schoolchildren in western Mexico.Design Cross-sectional study.Setting Rural settings in western México.Participants Children from a convenience sample of six schools in Acatlán, Jalisco, Mexico (n 1802).Results NC showed a strong positive correlation with all anthropometric adiposity indicators in both sexes, which were notably higher in boys regardless of age. Noteworthy, waist circumference displayed the highest significant correlation when analysed by both age and sex. As age increased, NC cut-off points to identify elevated central adiposity ranged from 25·7 to 30·1 cm for girls and from 27·5 to 31·7 cm for boys.Conclusions NC could be used as a simple, inexpensive and non-invasive indicator for central obesity assessment in Mexican schoolchildren.