Neck Circumference: Independent Predictor for Overweight and Obesity in Adult Population

Predicting mechanical neck pain intensity in computer professionals using machine learning: identification and correlation of key features

Introduction

Mechanical neck pain has become prevalent among computer professionals possibly because of prolonged computer use. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between neck pain intensity, anthropometric metrics, cervical range of motion, and related disabilities using advanced machine learning techniques.

Method

This study involved 75 computer professionals, comprising 27 men and 48 women, aged between 25 and 44 years, all of whom reported neck pain following extended computer sessions. The study utilized various tools, including the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain measurement, anthropometric tools for body metrics, a Universal Goniometer for cervical ROM, and the Neck Disability Index (NDI). For data analysis, the study employed SPSS (v16.0) for basic statistics and a suite of machine-learning algorithms to discern feature importance. The capability of the kNN algorithm is evaluated using its confusion matrix.

Results

The "NDI Score (%)" consistently emerged as the most significant feature across various algorithms, while metrics like age and computer usage hours varied in their rankings. Anthropometric results, such as BMI and body circumference, did not maintain consistent ranks across algorithms. The confusion matrix notably demonstrated its classification process for different VAS scores (mild, moderate, and severe). The findings indicated that 56% of the pain intensity, as measured by the VAS, could be accurately predicted by the dataset.

Discussion

Machine learning clarifies the system dynamics of neck pain among computer professionals and highlights the need for different algorithms to gain a comprehensive understanding. Such insights pave the way for creating tailored ergonomic solutions and health campaigns for this population.

Neck Circumference is Associated with General and Central Obesity in Young Indian Adults

Background

Obesity has been a major concern due to its increasing prevalence and associated metabolic complications. Body mass index (BMI) assesses general obesity, but it does not distinguish between muscle and fat accumulations, so using only BMI can lead to an erroneous result. Waist circumference (WC), a marker of central obesity, predicted mortality risk better than BMI. However, WC can be affected by abdominal distension, is time-consuming, and may not be culture-sensitive. Neck circumference (NC) is devoid of these disadvantages and is believed to be an index of upper body fat distribution. This study aimed to assess the association of neck circumference with general and central obesity and to identify the cut-off points for evaluating obesity in young adults using NC.

Material and Methods

Height, weight, waist, and hip circumference were measured to determine BMI and waist-hip ratio. NC was measured at the level of the mid-cervical spine and mid-anterior neck in a standing position with the arms hanging freely. For males with a laryngeal prominence, NC was measured just below the prominence.

Results

In total, 357 (170 male and 187 female) young, healthy Indian adults aged 18-25 participated. Neck circumference (NC) is significantly associated with BMI and WC in both genders. We found the best cut-off for male and female participants to be ≥34 cm and ≥30.5 cm, with a sensitivity of 88.3% and 84.4% for assessing obesity.

Conclusion

NC may be a better alternative to BMI and WC as a marker to assess obesity since it is more practical, simple, inexpensive, time-saving, and less invasive.

Effect of Obesity on Airway Mechanics

Background

Obesity is known to induce lung function impairment. Previous studies of decline in lung function associated with obesity are well established.

Materials and Methods

In this cross-sectional study, to evaluate the effects of different obesity indices on lung mechanics, healthy subjects (males-23 and females-22) were recruited. Anthropometric parameters like body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and neck circumference (NC) were measured and waist-hip ratio (WHR) was derived. Spirometry, impulse oscillometry (IOS) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurements were performed to assess lung function. Subgroups were divided and analysed.

Results

In males, increased WHR is associated with increased total airway resistance (R5). BMI correlates positively with R5, R5% predicted, resistance at 20 Hz (R20) and R20% predicted; likewise, WHR shows a positive correlation with R5. In females, increased WHR has significantly higher R5, R5% predicted, R20, R20% predicted, area of reactance (Ax), resonant frequency (Fres) and decreased reactance at 5 Hz (X5), reactance at 20 Hz (X20), X20% predicted. The female group with higher WC shows significantly increased R5, R5% predicted, R20, R20% predicted, Ax, Fres and lower fixed ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC), X5, X20, X20% predicted. The group with higher NC has a lower FEV1/FVC ratio. WHR positively correlated with R5% predicted and Fres while WC correlated positively with R5, R5% predicted, Ax and Fres; same way, NC with X5% predicted.

Conclusion

Obesity/overweight causes significant changes in lung volumes, capacity and airway mechanics, Higher WC and WHR are associated with significant changes in lung mechanics, which are more prominent in females than in males. NC is not associated with changes in lung mechanics.

Mid-upper arm circumference and neck circumference to screen for overweight-obesity in young adults in South India

Introduction

There are many anthropometric techniques to screen for overweight-obesity like the body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-hip ratio (WHR). These may be difficult or less acceptable in community and outpatient settings. We determine the cut-offs of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and neck-circumference (NC) to screen overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m²), abdominal obesity by waist circumference (WC; men: ≥90 cm; women: ≥80 cm) and high percent body fat (PBF) (men: ≥20%; women: ≥30%) and explore participant preference for various anthropometric methods.

Method

ology: We enrolled 282 medical students in South India and performed anthropometry (height, weight, WC, MUAC and NC), bio-impedance analysis (BIA, Inbody 770) to detect PBF. Receiver operator curves were generated and best cut-offs derived using highest Youden Index (sensitivity + specificity-1).

Results

Of the 282 participants, 83 (29.4%) were overweight, 113 (38.7%) had abdominal obesity and 186 (66%) had higher PBF. The MUAC cut-off was 31.3cm for men (sensitivity: 86%; specificity: 74%) to detect overweight and 31.2 cm (sensitivity: 85%; specificity: 73%) to detect abdominal obesity. The corresponding cut-offs in women were 28.5 cm (sensitivity:88%; specificity: 83%) to detect overweight and 28.3 cm (sensitivity: 74%; specificity: 92%) for abdominal obesity. For NC, the proposed cut-off in men was 36.6 cm (sensitivity: 81%; specificity: 82%) for overweight and 37.1 cm (sensitivity:78%; specificity:82%) for abdominal obesity. In women, this was 31.4 cm for both overweight as per BMI (sensitivity: 88%; specificity: 71%) and for abdominal obesity (sensitivity: 75%; specificity: 81%). Neck circumference was preferred by 225 (79.8%) participants.

Conclusion

Both MUAC and NC can be considered for screening overweight and abdominal obesity with good sensitivity and specificity but their sensitivity and specificity for screening high PFB were not very good. Neck circumference was the most preferred anthropometric method.

Correlation between Neck Circumference and Other Anthropometric Measurements in Eight Latin American Countries. Results from ELANS Study

Neck circumference (NC) is being used to identify the risk of chronic diseases. There is a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in Latin America, and neck circumference is a simple and practical measurement to assess this, especially in primary health centers. We analyzed the correlation between the NC anthropometric indicator and other anthropometric measurements such as BMI and waist circumference (WC) in eight Latin American cities. We applied Pearson's correlation to identify the correlate NC with the other anthropometric variables stratified by sex; the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) by sex were evaluated according to the cut-off established with the Youden Index. The strongest correlations between NC and WC were found when stratified by sex (women: r = 0.71; men: r = 0.69, respectively) followed by the correlation between NC and BMI (r = 0.65, both sex). NC cut-off points of 39.0 cm in men and 32.9 cm in women identified those individuals with an increased WC and 39.8 and 33.7 cm, respectively, for a substantial increase in WC. For BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m² for men, the cut-off point was 37.5 cm, and for women, it was 33.1 cm, and for BMI ≥ 30 kg/m², the cut-off points were 39.2 and 34.2 cm, for men and women, respectively. Conclusion: NC proved to be a useful, practical, and inexpensive tool that can be used to identify, evaluate, and monitor overweight and obese individuals.

Neck Circumference Cut-Off for Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in Nigeria

Objective

Neck circumference (NC) is a novel tool for diagnosing cardiometabolic disorders. We aimed to determine the NC cut-off for obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS) prediction in Nigeria.

Methods

The current study was based on data analysis of 557 staff and students of Ekiti State University/Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, who took part in a cross-sectional health screening (August-December 2018). Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), WHpR (waist-to-hip ratio), WHtR (waist-to-height ratio), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) values were determined by standard protocol. Fasting glucose and lipid profile were assayed for, and MS was defined by the harmonized criteria. The predictive ability of NC to identify people with obesity and MS was determined with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

In both men and women, NC had positive correlation (P<.001) with age, weight, BMI, WC, WHpR, WHtR, SBP and DBP. In men and women, the AUC of NC for all the anthropometric indices were significant (P<.0001). In men, the NC cut-off was 37cm for WHpR, 37.5cm for both BMI and WHtR, 38.3cm for WC, and 40.0cm for MS. In women, the NC cut-off for all the anthropometric indices (except WHpR) and MS was 33cm. In men, NC was as good as other obesity indices in predicting MS (P>.05 for differences in the AUC), but was inferior to BMI, WC and WHtR in women.

Conclusions

NC correlates with indices of adiposity and can serve as an alternate index for obesity and MS detection in Nigerians.

Prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea among patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome in a hill state of northern India

Background Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is one of the emerging non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Studying OSA may contribute towards a better understanding of current concepts of atherogenesis and in guiding therapy. Methods We conducted this cross-sectional study among 66 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in a tertiary care hospital from 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2020. We included patients of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)/ non-STEMI (on achieving Killip class I/II) and unstable angina and performed in-hospital overnight polysomnography (PSG) within 8 weeks of index event. Apnoea-hypoapnoea index (AHI) value 5-<15 was defined as mild OSA, AHI 15-<30 as moderate OSA and AHI >30 as severe OSA. We analysed data using Epi Info version 7.2.4 for Windows. Results The 66 patients had a mean (SD) age of 57.7 (11.1) years and 54 (81.8%) were men. Forty-three (65.1%) patients had STEMI, 19 (28.7%) had non-STEMI and 4 (6%) had unstable angina. On PSG, the prevalence of OSA (AHI>5) was 78.8% (95% CI 67.0-87.9). Of these, AHI >15 was significantly associated with diabetes, hypertension and different measures of obesity (p<0.05). Conclusions This study, conducted in a hill state of northern India, showed a high prevalence of OSA in patients with ACS. Obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension were significantly associated with severity of OSA (AHI>15).

Abundance of Gut Microbiota, Concentration of Short-Chain Fatty Acids, and Inflammatory Markers Associated with Elevated Body Fat, Overweight, and Obesity in Female Adolescents

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Overweight is ever more prevalent in the pediatric population, and this cardiometabolic factor can be associated with inflammatory markers, gut microbiota composition, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations. The aim of this study is to evaluate to what extent the abundance of gut microbiota phyla, SCFA concentrations, and inflammatory markers are associated with elevated body fat percentage (BF%), overweight, and obesity in female adolescents.

METHODS

An experimental and comparative study was conducted with 96 girls 14 to 19 years old. They were divided into 3 groups: G1-eutrophic (EUT) and adequate BF%; G2-EUT and high BF%; and G3-overweight (OW) or obese (OB) and high BF%. Waist circumference (WC), waist to height ratio (WtHR), and neck circumference (NC) were analyzed as indicators of central visceral adiposity. The BF% was evaluated by DEXA equipment. A food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate the main types of food consumed in a week. The abundance of the Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria phyla was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the SFCA concentrations (acetic, butyric, and propionic) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The inflammatory markers leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were assessed.

RESULTS

Female adolescents in groups G2 and G3 had greater central visceral adiposity and leptin concentration than those in group G1. No association was found between gut microbiota phyla abundance and SFCA concentrations in any of the groups. WC and frequency of consumption of oily and fatty foods were associated with Firmicutes abundance and SFCA concentrations. Girls with high WC also had the greatest leptin (p < 0.001) and hs-CRP (p = 0.035) concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammatory markers showed association with increased BMI and high BF% in female adolescents. The abundance of Firmicutes was associated with WC and NC, but not with BMI classification or BF%. Specifically, WC and the consumption of oils and fats showed correlation with SCFA concentrations. Different anthropometric indicators, such as NC and WC, should be incorporated into the clinical evaluation of the nutritional status of individuals in the adolescent population.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Patients and Their Measurement of Neck Circumference: A Cross-sectional Study

Background The utilization of neck circumference (NC) as a valuable tool to evaluate metabolic syndrome (MetS) is still unclear. MetS has been extensively reported worldwide mainly due to the increasing trend of central obesity and the risk of developing coronary artery disease. In Pakistan, its incidence is reported to be between 18% and 49% among the urban population. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan; in total, 392 patients (body mass index [BMI] >23 kg/m², age ≥18 years, both genders) were recruited through consecutive sampling, and informed consent was obtained. Results The majority of patients were females (n = 344, 87.8%), and the mean ± SD of age and NC of all patients was 50.5 ± 9.6 years and 38 ± 4.6 cm, respectively. The majority (n = 375, 95.7%) of patients were found to have MetS, with 90% of both males and females having NC ≥38 cm and 34 cm, respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of MetS was found to be very high in overweight and obese patients. Moreover, the majority of patients with MetS were found to have higher NC.