Higher Physical Activity Is Related to Lower Neck Adiposity in Young Men, but to Higher Neck Adiposity in Young Women: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

The role of lifestyle behaviors on neck adipose tissue (NAT), a fat depot that appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of different cardiometabolic diseases and in inflammatory status, is unknown. In this cross-sectional and exploratory study, the authors examined the relationship between sedentary time and physical activity (PA) with neck adiposity in young adults. A total of 134 subjects (69% women, 23 ± 2 years) were enrolled. The time spent in sedentary behavior and PA of different intensity were objectively measured for 7 consecutive days (24 hr/day), using a wrist (nondominant)-worn accelerometer. The NAT volume was assessed using computed tomography, and the compartmental (subcutaneous, intermuscular, and perivertebral) and total NAT volumes were determined at the level of vertebra C5. Anthropometric indicators and body composition (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) were determined. The time spent in light physical activity and moderate physical activity (MPA) and the overall PA were inversely associated with the intermuscular NAT volume in men, as were the MPA and overall PA with total NAT volume (all ps ≤ .04). Sedentary time was directly related to the total NAT volume (p = .04). An opposite trend was observed in women, finding a direct relationship of MPA with the subcutaneous NAT; of light physical activity, MPA, and overall PA with the perivertebral NAT; and of light physical activity with total NAT volumes (all ps ≤ .05). The observed associations were weak, and after adjusting for multiplicity, the results became nonsignificant (p > .05). These findings suggest that the specific characteristics of PA (time and intensity) might have sex-dependent implications in the accumulation of NAT.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Obesity Indicators, Circulating Blood Lipid Levels, and Adipokines Levels: A Bidirectional Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study

“…20 Furthermore, increased NC in OSAS patients may be indicative of diminished aerobic capacity, reduced physical activity and fluid retention. 21,22 Prior research has established a connection between upper body subcutaneous fat (excluding abdominal fat) and aerobic capacity. 23 Hormonal fluctuations in OSAS patients, such as elevated cortisol levels, may contribute to fat accumulation in the neck and upper trunk, thereby influencing anthropometric indices.…”

Neck circumference cut-off points to determine obesity in Chilean preschool children

“…12,[31][32][33][34][35] Although there are no studies that associate NC with gold standard indicators of total and central fat mass in pediatric population, two studies have shown the association of NC with bio-electrical impedance analysis technique in children and adolescents 16. In this context, Bammann et al investigated 78 preschool/school children aged 4-10 years, from four different European countries, and showed that NC is not the best predictor of fat mass (unadjusted R 2 =0.484) 36.…”