Correlation Between Neck Circumference and Insulin Resistance in Apparently Healthy Adults

Abstract

Background: Neck circumference (NC) has been proposed as a simple anthropometric indicator of upper-body obesity, although its relationship with insulin resistance has not been thoroughly studied in seemingly healthy adults. The current study aims to investigate the relationship between NC and insulin resistance (IR) and its value as an early screening marker in apparently healthy persons.

Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Mardan Medical Complex, from January 1st to June 30th, 2026. A total of 302 seemingly healthy adults were enrolled using non-probability sequential sampling. The HOMA-IR was used to determine insulin resistance. Pearson's correlation, multiple linear regression, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic curve studies were performed.

Results: IR was found in 34.1% of the 302 participants despite their seemingly healthy appearance. The results showed significant positive associations between NC and BMI, waist circumference, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, triglycerides, and blood pressure, with a negative association with HDL cholesterol (all p<0.05). Insulin resistance was higher in increasing quartiles of neck circumference.

Conclusions: Neck circumference is a practical, low-cost, and non-invasive anthropometric indicator that is independently associated with insulin resistance. Its use in routine clinical assessment could help identify those who are at high risk for metabolic problems before the onset of clinical diabetes.

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BibTeX RIS

BibTeX

@article{ullah2026correlation,
  title = {{Correlation Between Neck Circumference and Insulin Resistance in Apparently Healthy Adults}},
  author = {Faheem Ullah and Shahid Shehzad},
  journal = {Pakistan Journal of Medicine and Dentistry},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.36283/ziun-pjmd15-4/002},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.36283/ziun-pjmd15-4/002},
  note = {CC BY},
}

RIS

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Correlation Between Neck Circumference and Insulin Resistance in Apparently Healthy Adults
AU  - Faheem Ullah
AU  - Shahid Shehzad
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/01
JO  - Pakistan Journal of Medicine and Dentistry
DO  - 10.36283/ziun-pjmd15-4/002
UR  - https://doi.org/10.36283/ziun-pjmd15-4/002
AB  - Background: Neck circumference (NC) has been proposed as a simple anthropometric indicator of upper-body obesity, although its relationship with insulin resistance has not been thoroughly studied in seemingly healthy adults. The current study aims to investigate the relationship between NC and insulin resistance (IR) and its value as an early screening marker in apparently healthy persons.  Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Mardan Medical Complex, from January 1st to June 30th, 2026. A total of 302 seemingly healthy adults were enrolled using non-probability sequential sampling. The HOMA-IR was used to determine insulin resistance. Pearson's correlation, multiple linear regression, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic curve studies were performed.  Results: IR was found in 34.1% of the 302 participants despite their seemingly healthy appearance. The results showed significant positive associations between NC and BMI, waist circumference, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, triglycerides, and blood pressure, with a negative association with HDL cholesterol (all p<0.05). Insulin resistance was higher in increasing quartiles of neck circumference.  Conclusions: Neck circumference is a practical, low-cost, and non-invasive anthropometric indicator that is independently associated with insulin resistance. Its use in routine clinical assessment could help identify those who are at high risk for metabolic problems before the onset of clinical diabetes.
SN  - 2313-7371
SN  - 2308-2593
ER  -

Abstract

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