Neck circumference and incidence of cerebrovascular disease over 12 years among Korean adults

Neck circumference as a predictor of all-cause mortality in middle-aged and older adults in rural Ecuador

BACKGROUND

Neck circumference (NC) has been associated with mortality secondary to cardiovascular diseases and other conditions. However, information on this association in the population at large is limited. We aimed to assess this association in community dwellers living in rural Ecuador.

METHODS

Individuals aged ≥40 y who were enrolled in the population-based Three Villages Study cohort were prospectively followed to estimate mortality risk according to baseline measurements of NC, after adjusting for relevant confounders.

RESULTS

Analysis included 1521 individuals followed for a mean of 6.4±3.4 y. Mean NC was 36.2±3.7 cm, with 509 (33%) individuals allocated to the first (25-34 cm), 319 (21%) to the second (36-37 cm), 417 (27%) to the third (37-39 cm) and 276 (18%) to the fourth (40-50 cm) quartile. A total of 211 (14%) individuals died during the follow-up. Overall, the crude mortality rate was 2.3 per 100 person-years, which increased to 5.63 for those in the fourth NC quartile. An adjusted Cox-proportional hazards model showed that individuals in the fourth quartile of NC had higher mortality risk compared with the first quartile (HR: 2.98; 95% CI 1.77 to 5.02).

CONCLUSION

Larger NC increases mortality risk in middle-aged and older adults of indigenous ancestry living in rural Ecuador.

The association between physical activity and neck circumference with cardiovascular disease risk in older wheelchair users

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between physical activity, neck circumference, and cardiovascular disease risk in older wheelchair users.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SUBJECTS/PATIENTS

Sixty-one Korean wheelchair users aged 50 years and older.

METHODS

Physical activity was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Neck circumference was measured with a tape ruler. Cardiovascular disease risk was evaluated by calculating the Framingham risk score (FRS) for estimating 10-year cardiovascular disease risk, which was classified as low-moderate (19% or less) or high risk (20% or more).

RESULTS

The FRS for 10-year cardiovascular disease risk was inversely related to physical activity (beta [SE] = -0.213 (0.103), p = 0.043) and positively related to neck circumference (beta [SE] = 1.331 ± 0.419, p = 0.003). Binary logistic regression showed that those with low physical activity (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 4.256 (1.188~15.243), p = 0.026) or a large neck circumference (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 3.645 (1.172~11.338), p = 0.025) had a higher risk for high cardiovascular disease risk compared with those with high physical activity or normal neck circumference.

CONCLUSION

The current study findings suggest that an intervention targeting physical inactivity and upper-body obesity should be implemented to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in older wheelchair users.

Adult obesity diagnostic tool: A narrative review

Obesity is a complex chronic metabolic disorder characterized by abnormalities in lipid metabolism. Obesity is not only associated with various chronic diseases but also has negative effects on physiological functions such as the cardiovascular, endocrine and immune systems. As a global health problem, the incidence and prevalence of obesity have increased significantly in recent years. Therefore, understanding assessment methods and measurement indicators for obesity is critical for early screening and effective disease control. Current methods for measuring obesity in adult include density calculation, anthropometric measurements, bioelectrical impedance analysis, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, computerized imaging, etc. Measurement indicators mainly include weight, hip circumference, waist circumference, neck circumference, skinfold thickness, etc. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature to date, summarizes and analyzes various assessment methods and measurement indicators for adult obesity, and provides insights and guidance for the innovation of obesity assessment indicators.

The association of Carbohydrate Quality Index with cardiovascular disease risk factors among women with overweight and obesity: A cross-sectional study

Purpose

Diet is one of the most important factors influencing cardiovascular disease (CVD). The negative relationship between carbohydrate intake with lipid profiles and body weight has been previously investigated. However, this is the first study seeking to assess the association of carbohydrate quality index (CQI) with CVD risk factors.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 291 Iranian overweight and obese women, with a body mass index (BMI) ranging between 25 and 40 kg/m², and aged 18–48 years. CQI scores were calculated by using a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Biochemical and anthropometric measures were assessed using standard methods, and bioelectrical impedance was used to measure body composition.

Results

We observed that fruits (P < 0.001), vegetables (P < 0.001), and protein (P = 0.002) intake were higher in participants with a higher score of the CQI. When we adjusted for potential confounders, we observed that the CQI was negatively related to systolic blood pressure (SBP) (β = −6.10; 95% CI = −10.11, −2.10; P = 0.003) and DBP (β = −3.11; 95% CI = −6.15, −0.08; P = 0.04). Also, greater adherence to a high CQI dietary pattern, compared to the reference group, was negatively related to HOMA-IR (β = −0.53; 95% CI = −0.94, −0.12) (P for trend = 0.01), WC (β = −3.18; 95% CI = −6.26, −0.10) (P for trend = 0.04), BMI (β = −1.21; 95% CI = −2.50, 0.07) (P for trend = 0.06), and BF (β = −2.06; 95% CI = −3.82, −0.30) (P for trend = 0.02).

Conclusion

In line with previous studies, the CQI was inversely associated with blood pressure, WC, BMI, and BF. Further prospective and clinical trial studies are suggested to confirm these data.