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Should neck circumference be used as an indicator of obesity and overweight in children?

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 69, page 1373 (2015)Cite this article

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Childhood obesity is an epidemic that has become a public health problem in the world, directly associated with the cardiometabolic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, dislipidaemias and cardiovascular diseases. To determine this relation, anthropometric indicators are used (body mass index, waist circumference and waist–hip ratio). Recently, neck circumference (NC) has been described as a simple measure that allows the early identification of overweight and obesity.1

The body mass index is the most used parameter for determining overweight and obesity in children. However, it does not provide accurate information concerning the distribution of body fat, mainly central adiposity, making it difficult to evaluate endocrine and metabolic complications.2

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Sciences Post Graduation, University of Santo Amaro, UNISA, São Paulo, Brazil

    P Colombo-Souza & C N França

  2. Cardiology Division, Medicine Department, Federal University of São Paulo, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil

    C N França

Authors
  1. P Colombo-Souza
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  2. C N França
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Correspondence to P Colombo-Souza.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Author contributions

Colombo-Souza P and França CN: Conception and design, critical revision, and final approval.

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Colombo-Souza, P., França, C. Should neck circumference be used as an indicator of obesity and overweight in children?. Eur J Clin Nutr 69, 1373 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2015.160

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