FOR years, NHS doctors have used body mass index (BMI) to assess health.
But scientists are increasingly focusing their attention on a different, more unexpected indicator: neck thickness.
A thick neck could signal a concerning health issue[/caption]
A chunky neck might be useful for some sportspeople, like boxers and rugby players, but for others, experts believe it could flag serious health issues.
In fact, people with chunkier necks for their body size are more likely to face dangerous health problems, doctors from Kingston University have said.
This is because neck width can reveal where fat is hiding in the upper body.
“This fat around your upper body releases fatty acids into your blood, which can interfere with how your body manages cholesterol, blood sugar and heart rhythm,” Dr Ahmed Elbediwy and Dr Nadine Wehida, senior lecturers of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, respectively, said
“Essentially, neck circumference serves as a proxy for visceral fat – the harmful fat that wraps around your organs,” they wrote in a piece in The Conversation.
They said the evidence linking neck size to health problems is “striking”.
People with thicker necks show increased rates of several heart diseases, including hypertension, atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
They said the link between thick necks and atrial fibrillation is one of the biggest concerns.
It causes an irregular heartbeat and poor blood flow, which can trigger clots and strokes.
Over time, this electrical imbalance can push the heart towards failure.
Neck size also links to coronary heart disease, where arteries become narrowed and starve the heart of oxygen.
But it isn’t just the heart that is at risk. People with thicker necks face a higher chance of type 2 diabetes, the experts said, which can cause lasting damage, from blindness to amputations.
There’s also a connection to sleep disorders, the experts said.
A bulky neck is tied to obstructive sleep apnoea, where breathing cuts out during the night.
This leaves sufferers dangerously fatigued and puts extra strain on the heart. It also raises the risk of car crashes caused by exhaustion.
What counts as a thick neck?
14 inches or more in women raises the risk of serious health problems[/caption]
To measure your neck, take a measuring tape and wrap it around the narrowest part of your neck, ensuring the tape is snug but not tight.
The experts warn that 17 inches or more in men, and 14 inches or more in women, raises the risk of serious health problems.
Perhaps most surprisingly, these risks persist even in people with normal BMI.
“You could have a healthy weight according to traditional measures, but still face elevated health risks due to neck circumference,” the doctors said.
“And for each additional centimetre of neck circumference beyond these thresholds, death rates and hospitalisation rates increase.”
Should I be concerned?
“If your neck measures above these thresholds, it’s not cause for panic – but it is worth taking seriously,” Dr Ahmed and Dr Nadine said.
Neck size represents just one piece of your overall health, but it’s an important one that’s often overlooked.
And the really good news is that necks can be shrunk, with a bit of exercise, sleep and a healthy diet.
“Cardiovascular exercise and weight training can help reduce upper-body fat,” the experts said.
“Quality sleep supports metabolic regulation and recovery.
“A balanced diet rich in pulses, fruits, and vegetables provides essential nutrients without excess calories.”
In an era where we’re constantly seeking better ways to predict and prevent disease, your neck could hold the simplest clue.
“Your neck might be revealing more about your health than you realise – and it’s worth paying attention,” the doctor said.
What the SHAPE of your tummy reveals about your health
BEER bellies, spare tyres and washboard abs – stomachs come in all shapes and sizes.
While it may be easy to assume the smaller and less wobbly the better, that’s not always the case, according to Dr Simon Theobalds.
From love handles to pesky paunches, here’s what the shape of your stomach – and the fat that’s there or not – could be trying to tell you.
Washboard abs
A flat stomach – many people’s dream – and generally, a sign you’re in decent shape.
It means you have a very low body fat percentage, and you’re likely active – especially if you have a six-pack.
This puts you at lower risk of obesity-related health problems, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and stroke.
Beer belly
While you may laugh it off down the pub, a beer belly – characterised by a protruding roundness where the waist is larger than the hips – can mean serious trouble.
“Stomach fat, particularly visceral fat, is dangerous as it’s linked to increased risks of heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic issues,” Dr Theobalds says.
One study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, found drinking can increase your risk of over 60 diseases, including more obvious ones like liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal cancers, as well as gout, cataracts, fractures and stomach ulcers.
Love handles
Got excess skin on both hips that hangs over the top of your jeans? This is what some people call ‘love handles‘.
Though not always the case, these are generally caused by taking in too many calories, or not burning as many as you’re consuming.
This excess energy gets stored as fat around the waist and hips.
Other potential contributing factors include hormones (especially too much cortisol), age, sleep deprivation and undiagnosed or untreated conditions, such as an underactive thyroid, according to Healthline.
While not necessarily dangerous themselves, the presence of love handles can indicate you have an underlying risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, sleep apnoea and other breathing issues, stroke, type 2 diabetes, liver disease, osteoarthritis, and cancer.
Spare tyre
If you can’t see your feet when you look down, your stomach may be put into the ‘spare tyre‘ group, for people with additional fat right the way round their middles.
This kind of excess stomach fat, which is visceral, increases your risk of health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome – conditions that affect your heart or blood vessels, Dr Theobalds warns.
A six-year study found adults who carry a ‘spare tyre’ are at greater risk of heart disease than those who have ‘love handles’.
Scientists say visible flab just under the skin may be protective, while ‘hidden’ fat around the belly is dangerous.
‘Apron belly’
Usually caused by weight gain, weight loss, pregnancy, hormonal changes or unhealthy lifestyles, an ‘apron belly‘ can also spell trouble.
Not only can this flap of excess fat and skin that hangs down at the bottom of your stomach make you feel uncomfortable, it is also linked to fungal infections, back pain, heart disease and dementia, according to research.
Hard and full
Bloating describes the feeling of your tummy being uncomfortably full, but it can trigger visible changes too.
Some people who get bloated report their stomach growing outwards and hardening.
This is very common, and not usually anything serious, but it is worth addressing, according to the NHS.
The most likely culprit is excess gas in your gut.
“This can be caused by some food and drinks, such as some vegetables and fizzy beverages, or by swallowing air when you eat,” the health service says.
It can also be because of water retention or “digestive issues”, including constipation, a food intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or coeliac disease, Dr Theobalds says.
Hormonal changes can affect the shape of your stomach and make you bloated, particularly around the time of your period, he adds.
Bloating that does not go away can also be a sign of ovarian cancer.