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Neck Circumference is a True Measure of Child Obesity

by Kathy Jones on Jul 7 2010 9:13 PM

 Neck Circumference is a True Measure of Child Obesity
A new study published in the journal Pediatrics suggests that the circumference of a child’s neck could provide a great indication of any obesity problems.
The usual practice followed by physicians in to measure the body mass index (BMI) to determine whether the patient is overweight.

However health experts believe that BMI is not a good indicator of obesity and suggest that physicians should also measure the neck circumference of children, a practice which is also advised by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Researchers from University of Michigan in Ann Arbor measured weight, height, waist circumference and neck circumference in more than 1,100 children aged between 6 to 18 years and found that BMI and waist size correlated with neck circumference in both boys and girls.

They recommend that measuring neck circumference rather than BMI may be a better way of estimating obesity in kids.


Source-Medindia


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