The size of a surprising body part can predict how and when you will die
Several studies have found evidence that suggests a person's neck size relative to the rest of their body is a predictor of various health markers, including cardiovascular risk factors, nutritional status, and even mortality.
One study by a team at Boston University found that a large neck, thicker than 17 inches for men and 14 inches for women in circumference – was linked to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib).
AFib is a common heart rhythm disorder in which the heart's upper chambers (atria) beat irregularly and often rapidly, disrupting the normal flow of blood.
This can lead to palpitations, fatigue, and an increased risk of stroke and heart failure.
Furthermore, the research team said there is evidence that individuals with high neck circumference have increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea, which is also associated with AFib.
The long-term study, involving around 4,000 participants, looked at neck circumference compared to the circumference of a person's waist and their BMI.
This is because it takes into account both obesity (excess abdominal fat) and muscle mass, making it potentially a better indicator of overall health risks than BMI or waist circumference alone.
A healthy neck circumference to waist circumference ratio is generally considered to be less than 0.5; meaning your waist circumference should be less than twice your neck circumference.
AFib is associated with an increased risk of death and can potentially shorten lifespan. A 2018 study found people with Afib had an up to four times increased risk of mortality compared to the general population.
While modern treatments have improved outcomes, AFib still carries a significant risk, particularly due to complications like stroke and heart failure.
For measurement of neck circumference, participants were instructed to stand straight with the measuring tape around the base of the neck, just below the Adam's apple.
Both neck and waist circumference were measured to the nearest quarter inch. Standardized protocols were used to measure height and weight.
The researchers found that the correlation between neck circumference and increased risk of AFib persisted after taking into account traditional body fat measurements such as BMI, waist circumference, height and weight.
Experts say a larger neck circumference is a proxy for excess upper body subcutaneous fat.
This type of fat, particularly in the upper body, can be a major source of circulating free fatty acids in the body.
Increased levels of free fatty acids are linked with insulin resistance and an imbalance of lipids in the blood, which can lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers from Boston University found that the correlation between neck circumference and increased risk of AFib persisted after taking into account traditional body fat measurements such as BMI, waist circumference, height and weight
Another study out of Israel in 2019 presented similar findings.
The analysis included 302 patients with the average age being around 62 years.
After the participants' height was accounted for, they found a high neck circumference 'significantly correlated with poor long-term outcome'.
Some of the complaints they found among the subjects with thicker necks included diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
They found the risk of these ailments was 2.3 times higher for those with larger neck circumferences compared to those with slimmer necks.
And a 2022 study by researchers based out of Shanghai found that neck circumference was 'significantly associated' with the risk of future cardiovascular events in middle-aged and elderly populations and was a better predictor in men.
The researchers enrolled 1,435 participants aged 50 to 80 years from communities in Shanghai.
A high neck circumference was defined as more than 15 inches in men and over 13 inches in women.
The researchers employed various methods to explore the association between neck circumference and cardiovascular events.
During a mean follow-up period of 7.6 years, 148 cardiovascular events occurred.
They found that for every one standard deviation increase in neck circumference, individuals in the study population were 1.45 times more likely to experience a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke compared to those with a lower neck circumference.
The researchers conclude that neck circumference is 'a new measurement index that is simple, saves time, has little variability, and can reflect upper-body fat content'.
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