NECK CIRCUMFERENCE REFERENCE VALUES FOR APPARENTLY HEALTHY NIGERIAN ADULTS AGED 18 TO 60 YEARS

Abstract Neck circumference (NC) is a marker of upper body subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution. Although it is commonly used in many parts of the world it appears to lack reference values as an indicator of metabolic and cardiovascular risk in the Nigerian population. A total of 2000 apparently healthy adults participated in this study. NC was measured using a non-stretchable tape between the mid-cervical spine and mid-anterior neck of each participant standing upright. In men the NC was measured just below the laryngeal prominence (Adam’s apple). Data was summarized using descriptive and inferential statistics. The alpha level was set at 0.05. The Nigerian men under study had significantly higher NC values than the women (t = 36.986, p = 0.001). The mean values for men and women below 20 years, between 21 and 30 years, 31 and 40 years, 41 and 50 years, and 51 and 60 years old were 37.29 ± 1.96 cm and 32.45 ± 1.84 cm, 37.69 ± 2.16 cm and 33.12 ± 2.52 cm, 37.67 ± 2.25 cm and 32.46 ± 2.24 cm, 38.01 ± 2.49 cm and 33.36 ± 2.67 cm, and 37.59 ± 2.29 cm and 33.14 ± 1.78 cm, respectively. The 95 percentile values for men and women younger than 20 years, 31-40 years, 41-50 years, and 51-60 years were 41cm and 36 cm, 42 cm and 38 cm, 41cm and 37 cm, 43 cm and 39 cm, and 42 cm and 37 cm, respectively. Based on age-and-sex neck circumference reference values, the means and percentiles can be used as indicators of acceptable and abnormal NC values for Nigerian adults between the ages of 18 to 60 years