The aim of this study was to investigate the association between neck circumference and cardiometabolic risk factors. The sample population derived from the Framingham Heart Study included 3,307 subjects [48% women; mean age =51 years; mean body mass index (BMI) =27.8 kg/m2] with neck circumference measures and intra-abdominal (visceral) adipose tissue assessed by computed tomography. Analyses revealed that neck circumference was associated with cardiometabolic risk factors and that this association was stronger in women than in men. Moreover, neck circumference, intra-abdominal adipose tissue and BMI independently contributed to cardiometabolic risk factors. It was also observed that individuals who had both large neck circumference and high levels of intra-abdominal adipose tissue had the most adverse risk factor levels. However, there was no assocation between neck circumference and risk of incident cardiovascular disease or coronary heart disease. Thus, these findings suggest that neck circumference is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors even after adjustment for intra-abdominal adipose tissue.
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