Your waistline isn’t the only part of your body that could be putting your health at risk.
A growing body of research suggests that neck size may also serve as an early warning sign, indicating a higher likelihood of developing serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes and sleep disorders.
Even more surprising: A thick neck appears to spell trouble even in people with a healthy BMI.
The reason? BMI has several limitations. For example, it can’t distinguish between muscle and fat, nor does it reveal where fat is stored on the body.
“A competitive bodybuilder might have a high BMI, but clearly isn’t obese,” Kingston University’s Dr. Ahmed Elbediwy and Dr. Nadine Wehida wrote in a recent article for The Conversation.
“This is where neck circumference offers additional insight,” they explained, noting that this measurement provides a better gauge of excess visceral fat stored in the upper body than BMI.
This kind of fat is considered more dangerous than fat stored in the lower body because it’s more metabolically active, meaning it releases fatty acids, hormones, and inflammatory substances more readily into the bloodstream.
That heightened release can disrupt normal bodily functions, promote chronic inflammation and drive up insulin resistance — placing extra strain on your organs and increasing the likelihood of serious complications.
The effects appear to be far-reaching.
Scientists have linked a larger neck circumference to a higher risk of developing metabolic disorders such as type 2 and gestational diabetes.
Research has also connected it to obstructive sleep apnea, a potentially dangerous condition in which the airway repeatedly collapses during rest, causing frequent breathing interruptions.
In fact, the relationship is so clear that doctors often check neck circumference as part of diagnosing the sleep disorder.
But it doesn’t stop there. One study even found that men with larger necks face an increased risk of erectile dysfunction compared to their peers with slimmer necks.
Perhaps the most alarming link, though, is between neck size and cardiovascular health.
Several studies have found strong associations between neck circumference and key risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides and low levels of HDL, or “good” cholesterol.
In 2022, researchers linked a thick neck to a higher chance of developing atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition that causes irregular heartbeat and disrupts blood flow. This can lead to palpitations, fatigue, and an increased risk of stroke, blood clots, heart failure and premature death.
These findings held even after scientists adjusted for BMI, waist circumference, height and weight.
However, the association was strongest among participants with obesity, which the researchers suggested means neck size may be an especially important risk factor in this group.
That’s especially significant as America grapples with an obesity epidemic. Across the country, 2 in 5 adults and 1 in 5 children and adolescents are classified as obese, according to the CDC.
“Our findings indicate that neck circumference potentially may be used as an easily obtainable measure for assessing risk of incident AF” the study authors wrote, calling for further research to explore what kind of role it may play in prevention and treatment.
The research is eye-opening, but experts say neck size shouldn’t replace your regular health check-ups. Instead, it can serve as an extra tool to help you understand your risks.
The approach could be especially useful for pregnant women or people with obesity, who often struggle to get an accurate waist measurement.
The best part: finding out your neck circumference couldn’t be easier. Just grab a tape measure and wrap it around the narrowest part of your neck, making sure it’s snug but not tight.
While there’s no official consensus, a large neck circumference is generally considered to be over 17 inches for men and 15.5 inches for women.
“Currently, neck circumference is not used in routine clinical practice,” Dr. Sarah Preis, an associate professor in biostatistics at Boston University’s School of Public Health, told Salon.
“However, since high neck circumference is correlated with increased body mass index, it would be reasonable for a person who is concerned about the thickness of their neck to consult with their primary care physician,” she added.
In their article, Elbediwy and Wehida also highlighted that neck circumference can be reduced through lifestyle changes like cardio exercise and weight training, which have been shown to help trim upper-body fat.
They also stressed the importance of quality sleep and a balanced diet, which help keep your metabolism running smoothly, aid in weight management and speed up recovery.
