Diagnostic Accuracy of Neck Circumference for Predicting Overweight and Obesity in Mexican Children
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12873/Keywords:
neck, Pediatric obesity, BMI-Age.Abstract
Introduction: Neck circumference could be a useful anthropometric indicator for identifying overweight and obesity. Objective: To evaluate the utility of neck circumference in predicting overweight and obesity in schoolchildren, comparing it with other anthropometric indicators. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 221 schoolchildren (110 girls and 111 boys) aged 6 to 11 years. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and ROC curve analysis was performed to determine cut-off points for overweight and obesity. Pearson correlation was applied between neck circumference and anthropometric measures. Results: A strong correlation was found between neck circumference and BMI across all age and sex groups, with the highest in 6-year-old boys (r=0,90; p<0,05) and 8-year-old girls (r=0,89; p<0,001). Regarding the correlation between neck circumference and WC/HT, both strong and moderate correlations were identified, with the highest observed in 10-year-old girls (r=0,85; p<0,001). The prediction of overweight or obesity by neck circumference vs. WC/HT (AUC >0,80) was a better test than BMI (AUC >0,77). Conclusions: Neck circumference is highlighted as a practical and accurate tool for detecting overweight and obesity in schoolchildren.
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