Text: Qian Dan. Kumar. Chandan Kumar Jajwade, Sarah. Sarah Bell
We usually don’t notice weight gain until our belly gets bigger or our clothes get tighter.
But there’s another part of the body that can reveal health clues—the neck.
If your neck circumference is noticeably thicker or thinner than usual, it may be a warning sign of certain health problems.
How thick should my neck be?
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Body fat is usually estimated by dividing weight by height to calculate body mass index (BMI).
While this is a good starting point, it doesn’t work for many people, such as bodybuilders, because muscle tends to tip the scales higher.
That’s why measuring neck circumference can provide additional health information.
So, if you had a tape measure on hand, what would your neck circumference be?
Shiv. Kumar. Shiv Kumar Sarin said, “The neck circumference should be 33 to 35 centimeters for women and 37 to 40 centimeters for men.”
Why does my neck circumference matter?
Some people lift weights to make their necks look strong—boxers and football players have particularly thick necks. But outside of the gym, that’s not always a good thing.
Amitav, professor at DY Medical College, Pune. Amitav Banerjee said, “If someone’s neck is thicker than normal, it indicates that there is a health problem and the body is heading towards obesity. Obesity is related to many diseases.”
Neck fat is different from subcutaneous fat, which is the soft fat found under the skin in areas such as the buttocks.
If you are overweight, your body also accumulates hidden fat called visceral fat in your abdomen and around your organs. This is not passive, but metabolically active, affecting blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure.
Ahmed. Director of the Bachelor of Biochemistry program at Kingston University London. Ahmed Elbediwy said: “The neck can show and remind you the extent of excess fat in your body.”
“The more you are overweight, the thicker your neck will be.”
What problems does it cause?
If someone’s neck looks thicker than usual, it may indicate metabolic syndrome—a group of health problems that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
This is because when there is too much fat in the body, the extra fat tissue easily dissolves into the bloodstream.
Delhi Ganga. Mohsin, senior consultant at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. “People with thick necks may have high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, diabetes and high blood pressure and need further examination,” said Mohsin Wali, director of the National Health Service.
This may also lead to sleep apnea, affecting the quality of your rest.
What if my neck is too thick?
“They don’t need to panic,” Albedivi said. “A balanced diet and regular exercise not only contribute to overall health, but can also aid in weight loss.”
Cardiovascular exercise and weight training reduce upper body fat, while quality sleep supports metabolic regulation and recovery.
A balanced diet rich in legumes, fruits and vegetables provides essential nutrients while avoiding excess calories.
Photo Credit: Getty Images / BBC News
What should I do if my neck is too thin?
A slender neck has long been considered a symbol of beauty.
People wear jewelry to attract attention and make their neck look more beautiful.
In some African countries, women wear special neck rings around their necks to make them appear longer.
But doctors point out that while a slim neck may be considered a standard of beauty, if it looks thinner than usual, it may be a sign of anemia.
Bangalore-based doctor Atreya. Atreya Niharachandra said: “Such patients will be supplemented with iron, vitamins and other nutrients, and in many cases even require blood transfusions.”
Photo Credit: Getty Images / BBC News
Some people have slim necks and may have an extra vertebra.
Cervical vertebrae usually have seven, but some people have eight, similar to someone who has six fingers instead of five.
Vertebrae are the bones that make up the spine, protect the spinal cord and nerves, and support the structure of the body.
However, this is a congenital condition, most often discovered incidentally during neck X-rays taken for other reasons, and usually does not cause problems.
“If there are more than one rib (vertebrae) in the neck – up to eight – problems such as hand numbness may occur,” Varley said.
Another condition that can occur in the neck is goiter, which is a lump or swelling in the front of the neck caused by an enlarged thyroid gland. The thyroid is a small gland that secretes hormones.
Goiters usually appear on the lower front of the neck and may feel smooth or nodular, and sometimes only one side is swollen.
It usually doesn’t cause pain or harm, but the NHS recommends it should be checked by a doctor.
So next time you look in the mirror, take a good look at your neck—it might reveal more than you think.
This article is reprinted with permission from “BBC News Chinese”. The original text is published here
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