Neck Circumference as A Screening Tool for Obesity in Pre- and Primary School Children in Puducherry India – A Cross-Sectional Study

Gayathri G  Nair; Umayorubhagom  Ashok; Dhongadi Prashant; Ooviya Jayaseelan

doi:10.55489/njcm.151120244549

Authors

Gayathri G Nair Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India
Umayorubhagom Ashok Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India
Dhongadi Prashant G R Medical college, Mangalore, India
Ooviya Jayaseelan MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, Bangalore, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.151120244549

Keywords:

Anthropometry, Childhood obesity, South India

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity has become the 21^st Century’s greatest challenge and threat. Around 50% of the obese children become obese adolescents, of which 80% become obese adults.

Methodology: Cross-sectional analytical study was done on 930 pre- and primary school children. Neck circumference, weight, height, waist and hip circumference was recorded. Overweight/obese identified according to WHO standards. Age-specific percentile charts for boys and girls were drawn with data from the apparently normal children in the study population.

Results: The Neck Circumference measurements ranged from 23.64(±1.16) to 28.49(±2.87) in boys and 23.59(±1.63) to 27.6(±2.67) in girls. ROC analysis derived cut-offs for overweight and obesity in each age group/gender were found to have high sensitivity (80-100%) and specificity (60-95.9%). Using the reference percentile data/curves, and the cut –offs obtained by ROC analysis, a neck circumference above the 75^th percentile for age and gender can be regarded as overweight and above the 90^th percentile as obese in both boys and girls.

Conclusion: The study concludes that the Neck circumference is a valid and effective screening tool for overweight/obesity in pre and primary school children.

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